Good morning all,
This Saturday Accies play Kilmarnock at New Anniesland (kick off 3pm) in a highly significant league match.
Kilmarnock are ahead of Accies in the league by 6 points and have only lost twice this season but Accies, are unbeaten at home. It is significant because it seems likely that the leagues will be reorganised at the end of the season.
The proposal is that there will be two Premier Leagues and the rest of the Clubs will move into Regional Leagues. In the West there will be three leagues and Accies are aiming to be in West League 1. However it seems probable that only one West team from the current National League 2, where we play, will be in this league. That is why it is important to be ahead of Kilmarnock at the end of the season.
Another important reason for a good performance on Saturday is that it is the day of our Sponsors Lunch. 55 Sponsors and guests plan to be there and it is a good opportunity to thank them for their financial support.
Finlay Calder has kindly agreed to be the guest speaker at the lunch.
Once again Accies have to make changes but mainly in the threequarters. The pack that played so well at Hawick YM has only change with the return of hooker Matteo Giovanazzi with the versatile Tom Cullen moving to the right wing. The highly influential Matt Smith has been added to the bench where he is joined by Jamie Coskry who was missing last week. In the backs there are numerous changes due to injuries and other reasons. The centre pairing from last season of Stewart Smith and Jamie Doig are back together again and winger Craig Wright will play at full back. As mentioned Tom Cullen is on the right wing with Chris Wright on the left. Chris is normally a flanker but was called onto the wing in the second half last week due to the number of injuries and was very effective. Stephen O'Donnell moves from scrum half to replace the injured Ali McLaren at stand off. He is no stranger to this position as he played there all last season for the Hawks 2nd XV. New boy Alan Birdsall comes in at scrum half. Alan has recently joined us from Dumfries RFC and has looked the part at the training sessions this week. Astonishingly he is the 37th player to have played in the 1st XV this season. The fact that the 2nd XV have had some large wins in recent weeks is testimony to the number of new players recruited this year increasing the player strength to around 60.
There is sure to be a good crowd are Anniesland on Saturday, why not come out and join them?
Two Lions Dinner
Saturday 30th October
John Beattie recently returned from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Peter Wright are the speakers in what will be a highly entertaining evening. There are a few places left, price £35. Call me on 0141 616 4956 to make a booking or send an email.
Early Kick Off
Please note that from next Saturday 30th October until the end of January kick off times revert back to 2pm.
Saturday 30th October
Accies v Annan at New Anniesland
 
Have a good weekend
Alasdair Graham
 

This article was posted on 22-Oct-2010, 07:49 by Hugh Barrow.