A regular programme feature that keeps you up to date with rugby and club issues and news by Kenny Hamilton.
(Not necessarily the views of Glasgow Hawks).

The Honest Men
Craig Redpath brings his team to Old Anniesland today following a huge win over Boroughmuir last weekend. Ayr’s traditional forward power has been supplemented with an incisive back-line this term and will compete with any team in the Premiership on their day. A warm welcome to players, supporters and committee folk.

The Best Premiership Race in Years
All you have to do is read the newspaper reports on matches over the first 3 weeks to establish that something different is happening this season. “If all club rugby were this dramatic, there wouldn’t be a ground in Scotland capable of holding the crowds” (Watsonians V Hawks – Sunday Herald 11.9.05);
“Aberdeen and Heriot’s served up a 57 point thriller”;
“The home side were breath-taking” (Ayr v B’muir)
Aberdeen turned their season around with a fearsome display of scrummaging that proved too much for a classy Heriot's team. (Scotsman)

For years many have complained about the media portrayal of our sport – almost suggesting that everything in Scottish Rugby would be OK if they just were not so critical. I don’t remember the 4th Estate being asked to mis-manage the SRU’s millions – or create structures that put people off playing the game. But leaving that aside, when you look at these headlines it is obvious that the press have been bribed. How else can you account for our surly hacks being so effusive in praise?
The league table at the moment (reproduced below) is clearly misleading when the 3rd bottom team beat the 2nd top and Hawks, quite frankly, ride their luck in 2 out of 3 matches. The standard in Premier rugby is on the up again and it will be a very competitive season.
With, unfortunately 3 clubs facing relegation there will be few opportunities for mid-table complacency as clubs will be fighting for every available point. I actually think that the bonus points for 4 tries and for a defeat by 7 points or less might determine both the championship and the relegation matters.
Add in the contributions being made by pro players and the next generation of pro players and we have a really exciting product that we need to tell people about. Maybe we should have a “bring a friend” day at clubs up and down the country to try and get some new people in through the turnstile!

Scottish World Champions
This may have slipped past your radar – but Scotland are World Elephant Polo champions for the second year running. Two thoughts: Where do they practice?
Who teaches them to swim?

The Ashes
Not since Morecombe and Wise left the telly has so much fuss been made over a little Ern. Great though wasn’t it?

BT Premier Div 1 Pld Pts

Glasgow Hawks 3 15
Heriot's 3 11
Watsonians 3 11
Ayr 3 10
Currie 3 10
Biggar 3 6
Boroughmuir 3 6
Hawick 3 5
Stirling County 3 5
Aberdeen GSFP 3 5
Stewart's Melville FP 3 4
Melrose 3 4

This article was posted on 14-Sep-2005, 06:36 by Hugh Barrow.