If the season that finally ended in May was the subject of a school report it would probably say ‘showed considerable improvement after a shaky start’.
However, a considerable improvement was achieved, and by the end of the season the backs had become a potent force, and were probably the best back division in the league. Accies finished in 3rd place in the league, losing out on promotion to Greenock Wanderers and Lasswade. In the final analysis this was probably a fair reflection, as Accies had lost to those sides both home and away.
It was a pity that both these sides were in the league this year, as the remainder of the teams were not in the same class as the three of us. Both Greenock Wanderers and Lasswade went on to contest the Shield final at Murrayfield, having beaten in the semi-finals, Whitecraigs and Dalziel, the top two sides who went on to win promotion from the league above ours.
Sadly the damage for Accies was done at the start of the season when they lost four of their first five games. It is hard to identify the reason for the poor start, as pre season, it appeared, on paper anyway, that there was the potential for a good season.
A number of key players had returned to the fold, notably, the giant pairing of Steve Begley and Sandy Fitzpatrick in the second row, flying left wing threequarter Dougie Horne, and the hard hitting Andy Jackson back from Hawks, to play open side flanker. Also centre Jamie Doig who had had to relinquish his captaincy of the team the previous season, after a horrific pre-season knee injury kept him out all season, was fit and able to return this season to captain the side. He showed great leadership qualities, and was bitterly disappointed to miss out on promotion by only two points.
The pack looked solid and if the threequarters could click, all would be well.
A number of new players arrived at the Club, - the most notable being Brad Bell an American from Raleigh, North Carolina. He played outstandingly well at full back and was totally secure under the high ball, and his dynamic running made him a potent force in transferring defence into attack.
Unfortunately there was an Achilles heel that took a long time to resolve. At standoff there was no one who was a natural for the position. Numerous players were tried but the back division was being starved of quick ball. Eventually Ali McLaren made the position his own and from that time on the side averaged over 40 points a game and played some of the best handling rugby seen at Anniesland for some years.
Stewart Smith, a large and powerful centre, with experience of playing in New Zealand, with Glasgow Hawks, and for the Scottish Amateur International side, proved to be the key player of the side. His crunching defence and forceful running gave the backs a different dynamic. Unfortunately he missed the away game at Lasswade due to injury and had to leave the field after one minute of the game at Greenock, where his presence thereafter, was sorely missed. Stewart has been elected captain for next season, a position his brother Alastair held a few years ago.
Accies played in the Scottish Shield this year, a knock out competition for sides in the National Leagues, and after a bye in the first round beat RHC Cougars from the league above before going out to Dalziel, the league leaders from National Div. 1, in a re-arranged fixture, when, sadly, some of our key players were unavailable.
The 2nd XV had an excellent season winning 16 out of 18 games and were promoted as champions. They were coached and managed by Nigel Cambell and well captained by Richard Taylor. Two of their young players Andrew Smart and Kenneth Beattie were playing regularly for the 1st XV by the end of the season.

2.

Donald Reid and Chas Afuakwah ably coached the 1stXV, and great credit has to go to them for the improvements they brought about during the season. Chas is stepping down and the Club wish to acknowledge his outstanding commitment, and thank him for his many years of dedicated service both as a player and a coach. We hope he will return.
John Beattie has agreed to coach the 1st XV next season with Donald Reid taking on the role of Director of Rugby.
The ground at New Anniesland was in excellent condition and greatly admired by many of our opponents. Credit for this must go to Robert Cheape the Head Groundsman and his hard working team.
The Club is in very good heart. Playing numbers have increased, as has the quality of the players. Training and strength conditioning sessions, ably led by Duncan Beattie in the Fitness Gym at New Anniesland, are well attended, and there is a good social and friendly atmosphere around the Club.
Despite the harsh winter and the disruption to fixtures, attendances grew steadily as the season progressed, and the side now has a substantial support to cheer them on.
Season 2010-2011 is being looked forward to with real anticipation.
The following League statistics comparisons showing both last season’s and this season’s results, clearly illustrate the progress the team has made.

League Matches SHE National League Division 2
SEASON
Played Won Lost Drawn Points Points League Position - - *
For Against Points *
22 16 6 0 651 330 80 3rd 2009-10

22 11 10 1 377 313 55 5th 2008-09

This article was posted on 28-Jun-2010, 07:40 by Hugh Barrow.