THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
Mather tips charges for honours

BILL LOTHIAN


WITH amateur international caps up for grabs on the BT Premiership scene this season, individual incentives have never been greater for club players.

Awareness that Scotland's inaugural club-style "Test" against Ireland in Dublin next February is looming may already be starting to add spice to domestic fare too.


Count Watsonian player/coach Cammy Mather as a major fan of the innovation.

And, following what he regarded as one of his club's most satisfying victories - as well as the biggest in terms of margin - by 47-18 at Stewart's/Melville on Saturday, Mather was looking forward to the likes of stand off James Easton and centre Brian Rennie in particular stepping up cap claims.

Likewise, Stew/Mel coach Grant McKenzie also saw amateur internationals as a means of generating extra competition at grassroots.

"So far as gaining any representative honours against the Irish are concerned, our players have to pull their socks up based on a performance that was slack in defence and careless early on when we twice surrendered the chance of the opening score. But we did have individual successes," admitted McKenzie, adding: "Notably Andrew Easson was competent without doing anything too exciting, while Craig Joiner and Richard Borthwick both took tries well."

As Mather also said, though, it is important the selection criteria is right for the amateur Tests, and when he discounted himself from consideration on the grounds of having already worn the dark blue jersey at the top level, that equally would apply to Joiner.

So, who will selectors now be looking at?

"I believe a line will be drawn at 25-year-olds and that is about right.

"It is important these matches are used to bring players through and showcase them for the Pro-team coaches who, due to the way matches in the Celtic League and Europe tend to be staggered over weekends, have difficulty at times keeping tabs on club talent.

"But there must be a place as well for offering encouragement to the lads who are turning on the style each week in the Premiership, because the boost they will get from knowing somebody is aware of their efforts translates to a raising of the standards that colleagues can feed off," said Mather, who called for a shadow Six Nations series to be set up in due course.

So far as Easton is concerned, he also earned favourable mention from 'Sonians assistant coach Ian Sinclair, the former Scotland A flanker who is expected to begin a comeback during the next few weeks having freed himself up from work commitments and a stint of marathon running.

Rightly so, because it was Easton's ability to get in behind the home defence that contributed to several of their six tries, which were scored by Stuart McAllister (2), Steve Lawrie, Brian Rennie, Cammy Mather and Will Campbell, The latter also kicked four conversions and three penalties for a personal haul of 22 points.

Mather added: "As well as making important half-breaks, James was able to offload possession which was the big factor as regards developing momentum and not dying with the ball.

"We've been threatening to put in that type of performance all season and finally we clicked, rather than flattering to deceive.

"Another bonus is having the tries shared between forwards and backs alike," added Mather. This comment highlighted the fact that as well as driving effectively up front, 'Sonians were also able to develop real width, helped by the slick passing of teenage scrum half Murray Bringhurst who, when he develops his upper body strength, will be a real prospect.

While 'Sonians celebrated a lead that looked unassailable from the moment they scored at their first point a minute into the opening quarter, Stew/Mel were left to hope the return of captain Paul Wharakura from Edinburgh duties will help shore up a disappointing set piece.

Also, star winger David McCall was denied the chance to add to a haul of six tries in five games when he damaged a hamstring in the warm-up.

"The loss of McCall didn't help, while Wharakura is one of the guys who (normally) get us on the front foot instead of falling off tackles - like we did too often against Watsonians," said McKenzie.

For Stew/Mel, trapped in the drop zone, the immediate task could not be tougher - they are due at champions Glasgow Hawks this weekend.

And on the subject of Hawks, it hasn't escaped the notice of Cammy Mather - who knows the Glasgow rugby beat well from his days as captain of the professional Warriors combine - that they seem to be reaping a bounty from being the only club from the opposite end of the M8 in the Premiership.

Contrast Hawks, who are the product of GHK and Glasgow Accies teaming up, with the five Capital sides currently in Division One and who seem to engage in regular spoiling exercises by denting each other's title chances.

Of course, there are some who have hailed Hawks as a "beacon" club, and within that organisation itself influential members are known to advocate amalgamations in Edinburgh as the precursor to an eight-team semi-pro competition. But where to start - and doesn't tradition rule in Edinburgh, as Grant McKenzie points out? Here, Saturday's rival coaches appeared to be in agreement.

"Leading Edinburgh sides have been around a long time and I'm not sure how they'd view mergers. Probably best leave alone," said McKenzie.

Mather goes further: "Actually, the Edinburgh scene is probably stimulated by all the close rivalries in a way that outshines the one leading club approach in Glasgow.

"The intensity in Edinburgh creates talking points among players and supporters who are drawn to the games and having so many hot-spots offering Division One rugby is probably healthier."

What Mather is sure about is that as Watsonians string a few more results together like Saturdays' romp, they can use their current second place to not only close the gap but develop the sort of winning mentality long-term that has been key to Hawks success.

Mather said: "The problem is Hawks have had it easy for a while with nobody really coming through to challenge them seriously, which makes them tougher to crack for opponents.

"I didn't expect Watsonians to win the league this season, although we are trying in the knowledge we always fancied being thereabouts.

"And as we develop together than our chances of overhauling Hawks will be improved."

What would also help 'Sonians is if Stewart's/Melville could conjure up more of the openings at Hawks on Saturday that sent Craig Joiner in under the posts and Richard Borthwick out wide, Sam Hendry, pictured left, kicking the rest of the points.

And why not? Stew/Mel have, after all, risen up to bring down Boroughmuir and Currie, amongst others.

But this time, instead of a Capital dog-eat-dog affairs is it not time for Edinburghers to start doing each other a few favours when confronted by pace-setters from No Mean City?

This article was posted on 1-Nov-2005, 07:52 by Hugh Barrow.