Blisters blight holders' hopes of repeat - and that's before kick-off

Published Date: 08 April 2011
By DAVID FERGUSON
SOME familiar players from Melrose's past are bidding to kick-start a weekend of celebrations for the home club by retaining the Davidson Chalmers Veterans Tens title - if their feet stand up to it.
Nine clubs have entered the popular ten-a-side tournament on the eve of the main event, and Doddie Weir, Andy Purves and Keith Johnson, the former Selkirk player who finished his career with Melrose, lead a home line-up that may also include their ex centre and Scotland sevens coach Graham Shiel fresh from the IRB World Sevens Series.

Purves, one of the event organisers, said: "We'd love to win it again but it's going to be tough because there are some good teams.

"We're delighted to have big Doddie playing, which always helps … the opposition. But I'm a bit concerned about our feet. Myself, Keith and Chris Thomson walked the West Highland Way last weekend and the feet took a pounding so I'm just hoping the blisters ease up a bit before kick-off.

"I'm expecting big things from the Auld Reekies, the Edinburgh team, and we're not yet sure whether Shielly will be turning out for them or us, as he's a city boy these days.

"But they are playing in the Amsterdam Tens this year so this is a good run-out for them to sort out their team.

"The Hawks Legends are a team to watch as always, with Kenny Hamilton and Cammy Little out in force again, while former Melrose captain Bruce Ruthven is bringing Orkney down. I'm hoping to see the SRU President 'Mighty Mouse' McLauchlan with the Islay team though I'm not sure if he's playing.

"The Tynedale team are coming up with a big squad, so they're after the title, and we have the guests from South Africa this year, the Hammie Dynamiters, to watch out for.

"I saw their team-lists coming in and they said they were a mix of 1st XV and 2nd XV players from the past, now in their 40s and 50s, and I thought we could edge them, until I realised that that's us - old 1sts and 2nds in our 40s and 50s now! Doesn't time fly?"

The teams have been drawn into three pools of three, with the top three qualifying for the cup semi-finals along with the best second-placed team. Two other runners-up will contest the bowl final, and the remaining three all have more games in the plate.

Davidson Chalmers Veterans Tens (final at 5.30pm): Melrose v Cayman Harlequins (12noon), The Auld Reekies v Hammie Dynamiters (12.22pm), Islay v Hawks Legends (12.44pm), Cayman Harlequins v Orkney (1.06pm), Hammie Dynamiters v Morgan Old Blacks (1.28pm), Hawks Legends v Tynedale (1.50pm), Melrose v Orkney (2.12pm), The Auld Reekies v Morgan Old Blacks (2.34pm), Islay v Tynedale (2.56pm).

This article was posted on 8-Apr-2011, 11:22 by Hugh Barrow.