The Herald reports

Miller proving a real high-flier with Hawks
Published on 26 Oct 2010


Neil Drysdale
Garnock Way might have disappeared from our television screens a long time ago, but the emergence of Ross Miller in this season’s Premier campaign offers evidence of the sterling work being carried out at the Ayrshire town’s rugby club.

At 6ft 5in, and blessed with blistering acceleration – these qualities have brought him to the attention of Scotland’s Sevens selectors – the 24-year-old might be a late developer, but Miller is relishing his time at Glasgow Hawks. He is savouring the opportunity to advance up the representative ladder, and proving that there are other routes to success than pathways programmes.
His move to Anniesland only came about after he had recovered from a serious shoulder injury, and the big No.8 is sufficiently honest to express his regrets about slipping through the cracks while a pupil at St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm. “I was overweight and didn’t really find the gym until I was 20,” he said.
Since then, the passion for rugby which was ignited by his father Bill and uncle Jim – both are still turning out for Garnock XVs in their 50s – has exploded with some dazzling displays, which have helped propel Hawks into title contention this autumn.
“It has been a whirlwind season but I am loving every minute of it,” he said. “It helps that we have won most of our games, because there is a great spirit among the squad,” says Miller, whose dynamism in the loose and ability to seize the merest glimmer of an opening were evident during Hawks’ crucial victory against Heriot’s at Goldenacre earlier this month.
“We are pushing as hard as possible before the split comes and, personally, I think it is a terrific idea. This is my first year in the Premiership but people have told me the intensity of the matches has increased and a lot of that is down to sides chasing bonus points, or not conceding bonus points, meaning that there is no let-up in the fixture schedule.
“We are in the mix and we want to push on and see if we can get into the British & Irish Cup next season, but we know that there is still a long way to go.”
Motivation will not be a problem for Miller, nor any of the other youthful stars in the Anniesland firmament. Having savoured a taste of the limelight, they have taken to it like a diva playing Carnegie Hall, and are eagerly anticipating the next few months, once the split has separated the leading eight clubs from the rest.
“At the beginning of the season, my objective was just to get into the Hawks squad,” said Miller. “Then I upped my ambition to try and gain a starting place every week. Now I am having to reassess my goals and it would be great to get into the Scotland Club International squad, which is the pinnacle for people like me,” says Miller, as surefooted in his responses as he is in dodging the tackles of opponents.
“I am not saying ‘no’ to anyone; I’ve done some trials for the [Scottish] Sevens team and, hopefully, I showed what I could do. But the main thing is that I love my rugby and am excited by it.”
His relatives only caught the rugby bug once they had hung up their football boots. Ross Miller’s crossing has occurred more swiftly and you suspect that this redoubtable character will continue to make waves as his aspirations increase.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
Both Glasgow Hawks and Dundee HSFP produced astonishing try sprees in recording 92 points apiece against hapless Selkirk and West of Scotland respectively. Hawks managed 14 tries at Anniesland, with their Borders rivals left pointless, while Dundee crossed the West line 13 times at Mayfield in a 92-7 triumph, to secure their post-split place in the upper eight.

This article was originally posted on 26-Oct-2010, 06:59 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 26-Oct-2010, 07:01.