Fixtures this week
After last week's disappointment at the game against Jed-Forest being cancelled on Saturday morning, we hope for better things this week at Haddington, when the 1XV play Haddington in the Edinburgh Cup, ko 2pm.
It is our second and last game in the rounds of the Cup, whilst it is Haddington's first. The other two groups have been completed with Currie and Biggar topping them. My reading is that if we beat Haddington by more than 55 points and get a try bonus point, then we should pick up the fourth place in the semi-finals. The only proviso is if Haddington then go on to beat Heriots by some 80 points, they would make it.
Haddington have struggled in P3 this season. At the moment they are next to the bottom with three wins out of 16 games. Last week they lost 24-16 at Cartha, never an easy place to play. We do know from our past games with Haddington that they will not lie down, they will fight and fight for all the game. Their Director of Rugby is Cliff Livingston, well known as a never give in opponent at both Musselburgh and Haddington, and more recently as an Accie coach - we know what to expect.
The Accies squad to play Haddington shows some changes to that picked for last week. Other than a couple of minor strains, we want to ensure that most of the main 1XV squad get 80 minutes of rugby each in preparation for the game with Hawick in a weeks time - so, some will start with the 2nds in Glasgow.
The Accies team to play Haddington is - Jamie Sole; Alex Cowan, Ross Browne, Iain Berthinussen, Jake Knight; Ruairidh Bonner, Jonny Adams; Duncan MacLeod, Mike Liness, Kenny Blyth, Greg Campbell, Angus Graham, Dan Teague, James Taggert, Tom Stuart.
Replacements - Tom Jackson, Callum Black, Callum Reid or Max Gordon, Euan Bonner.
After last week's good win against Dundee 2nds, the 2XV head for Glasgow Hawks, ko 1.30pm, to play a rearranged fixture. Hawks have had a below average season for them and they lie ninth in the league, having won five from 15 against Accies 10 from 15. We know not to take Hawks lightly, especially as they beat us at Raeburn Place earlier in the season!
The U20s get another of the seeming never ending trips to the Borders to play Jed-Forest 2nds. Jed have a reasonable record of winning seven from 12, including a big win at New Field earlier, whilst the U20s have won four from 10. The U20s are finding the going difficult in the East 1 league and will surely be tested again on Saturday. Kick off 2pm
The Whites entertain Selkirk 3rds, ko 2pm, on the 1XV pitch this week. Earlier in the season the Whites had a good win down in Selkirk, and after last week's display should be looking forward to a tough game. Selkirk are sixth in the league having won four from nine - the Whites are second, one point behind StewMel who have played two games more, having won nine from 10.
We all wait with bated breath to see who Troy 'magics' up this week from his deep Black Book - keep it up Troy, it's good to see and watch!!
If you cannot make Haddington, then you will enjoy a couple of hours at Raeburn Place with the Whites - to be followed by the Burns Supper at 7pm.
Posted on Thursday, 19 January 2012 under Club News