Bulls out for revenge in derby clash

Mar 19 2008

HAMILTON and Biggar rugby clubs clash head-on this weekend in a game that could go a long way towards settling the Scottish Hydro-Electric Premier 2 title.

Hosts Hamilton will hope to exact revenge for a 44-5 defeat at Biggar earlier this season, while the Hartree Mill side aim to keep in touch with league leaders West of Scotland and Selkirk, who also clash on Saturday.

That sets things up for a cracking derby at Laigh Bent on Saturday and it’s one that both sides are eagerly looking forward to.

Hamilton coach Ian Morrison said: “I’m pretty sure there are a number of teams that Biggar would rather play than Hamilton right now and I don’t think they will be naive enough to think they just need to turn up and win.

“We’re still smarting from what was nearly a 40-point defeat, and we’re looking for revenge.

“We certainly don’t fear Biggar but know we have to play well to beat them.”

Morrison added: “There could be a big crowd and it could be an exciting finale, with West of Scotland at Selkirk and Biggar at home to Selkirk on the last day. The title could go one of three ways.

“We can have an effect on it but we’re not worried about that — we’ve set our stall out very clearly to win our last two games and finish as high up the table as we can.

“Biggar and Musselburgh gave us two of our worst defeats this term and we’re looking to sort that out before next season.”

Biggar coach Aaron Collins has told his side to forget their favourites’ tag and enjoy Saturday’s clash.

He said: “We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s an incredibly massive opportunity for us but we have to show lots of respect to Hamilton, who have come on well since the last game. “Hamilton will have a huge amount of motivation to beat us and we’ve got a huge mountain to climb.

“While it is a chance for us to get closer to promotion, our attitude is ‘whatever happens happens’ but we’ll have to be at our best.”