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).

Boroughmuir
Always one of the most exciting and attractive teams to watch we have enjoyed some close fought battles against Boroughmuir over the years. Of course they have a particularly strong record in the Scottish cup being the current holders and have won it 3 times in all (including that win against Hawks in the 1999/ 2000 final.) Like Hawks they have sent 2 coaches on to full-time contracts, Sean Lineen (who will surely be confirmed as Edinburgh’s new coach in the near future) and Iain Paxton (Scotland Under 21s). They also provide the Premier 1 rep on the Scottish Rugby Council and George Clark, who has also been elected to the Scottish Rugby Board, is one of nicest and hardest working men in the game. He will meet with some of the Hawks Board, coaches and players in the next couple of weeks, to get a feel for the concerns, future developments and issues that are occupying their minds.

Friend or Foe?
On the bus down to Biggar last week a conversation between two of the current Hawks took on a unique International flavour. It emerged that Mike Rainey and Nick Cox faced up against one another about 5 years ago in a schools match- Ireland V England. Our Celtic cousins triumphed by 14 points to 12 and an Olly Barclay missed a penalty in the final minute of the match. It seems as though they also met at Under 21 level but not sure what the result was. Doctor Rainey did have a big smile on his face however, and it may be coincidence, but Nick seemed to be really up for the match and was undoubtedly Hawks most valuable player with a number of explosive runs. Perhaps the good doctor might become team psychologist for future weeks– or, perhaps psychiatrist would be more appropriate?

International Recognition
On the same weekend as the Ireland v Scotland 6 Nations match, on the Friday night at Donnybrook, there will be a new International level rugby match. 2 sides, made up of club players from each country will compete against each other. The exact rules have still to be agreed but in conversation with Gary Parker (the Biggar coach) last week we were talking about what a great innovation this is. However, we also talked about how important it is that the team is chosen purely on merit and should not be viewed as a ‘development’ side. It should comprise all the best club players – irrespective of age. However, we both agreed that it should not include ex-internationalists or any contracted pro players and should be an opportunity for ambitious club coaches to take on a new challenge.
I then wondered how many Hawks might feature in the team? McKenzie? Duffy? Milligan? Maxton? Does Sitch qualify? There could be quite a few.
I am offering a bottle of your choice to the person who submits a team list that is closest to the one that takes the pitch. All entries to me (see contact details below) by Saturday 4th March 2006.

It’s Saturday, It must be the Eternal M 74 .
It’s a hard life as a teacher. Hawks captain Eric (The Red) Milligan supervised a school trip to Rome all last week. It was an exhausting trip involving rugby matches, visits to the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon etc. and gave him a chance to check out the best pizza for the Hawk’s tour there in March.
An exhausting schedule so it was understandable that on Saturday he was asleep on the team bus before we reached Anniesland Cross. When he awoke a little later we were speeding through the rolling Lanarkshire countryside. Our astute and ever aware leader was heard to enquire “Oh, so it’s not Stirling this week, is it? Eh…Are we going to Biggar?” Duke of Edinburgh compass course next week for Red.

Tonight
There two major events tonight. The Hawks mystery tour is on and 40 people don’t know where they are going. (Just like any other Saturday then?)
And the GHK cocktail party with a proper ‘flair’ cocktail maker. (That’s right – just like Tom Cruise but better.) Tickets are only £5 and that includes a first drink.
These two events may collide around 11.00pm.


Postbag
Any comments or questions and competition entries to Kenny Hamilton c/o Glasgow Hawks, Crow Road, G13 1PL

Or by email via:
[email protected]

This article was posted on 19-Oct-2005, 08:24 by Hugh Barrow.