Heriot's star sure he can scalp Glasgow Hawks for first time

Published Date: 08 October 2010
By bill lothian


The 20-year-old centre failed to get a victory over Hawks in three encounters during his Watsonian days but, this time round, he goes into action full of confidence after claiming his fifth try in six outings when Heriot's edged out Hawick last week.

"So far as Hawks are concerned I know they have a big pack behind which the Gossman brothers (Keir and Craig) are very effective but this really is an important match in terms of defining Heriot's season.

"We have won five out of seven but haven't really clicked yet and the need is to start picking up some (try) bonus points.

"Had we done that we'd have been higher up the table (than fifth)."

Despite that Heriot's still have the capability to make up the four points separating them from second-placed Hawks and it has certainly been no fault of former Scotland age-group cap Learmonth that no extra increments have been accruing.

After a daunting debut against his old club, Watsonians, Learmonth then reeled off touchdowns in successive matches against Stirling, Currie and Ayr.

He drew a blank against Melrose but has been on target for the past fortnight at the expense of Dundee and Hawick when revelling in a new role.

"I wouldn't have chosen to start my Heriot's career against Watsonians but seemed to do all right helped by a move from wing to centre.

"When I was attached to the Scotland under-20 set-up last year before, tearing a patella tendon which put me out from December to late February, I was encouraged to play on the wing. Heriot's coach Bob McKillop, who had charge of my Scotland under-19 side, wanted me to play centre and that has led to me seeing more of the ball.

"Also, having outstanding players around such as Cammy Ferguson, Gregor Hunter and Peter Saunders has meant extra chances."

If things continue as they are then the one-time under-17, 18 and 19 internationalist can realistically entertain hopes of a Scotland clubs international call and could even interest the professional coaches.

Meanwhile, Boroughmuir head for Melrose bidding to avoid an unwanted hat-trick of defeats fortified by the return after injury of second row Greig Scott. Age group cap Andrew Rose also gets a start, at blindside flanker, while Ross Samson is released by Edinburgh and is sure to figure at scrum half at some stage.

Boroughmuir official Peter Blackhall said: "This will be another hard game after last week but the squad are up for it, the games against Melrose are always good open games.

This article was originally posted on 8-Oct-2010, 12:59 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 8-Oct-2010, 13:02.