Hamilton Rugby Club back in pre-season action

Jul 3 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Rugby Club’s First XV returned to pre-season training on Tuesday, determined to get their Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Two campaign off to a flier.

Club captain Allan Dodds is certainly hoping for a more fortunate season than last season as he missed the first three months with a broken hand, sustained during a friendly with long-term rivals Ellon a week before the league campaign began.

Coach Ian Morrison said: “Last year the early preparation went extremely well but in the pre-season games we picked up too many injuries.

“We have reviewed our approach, reducing the actual number of full games before our opening league encounter away to GHA at the end of August.”

Despite the reduction in fixtures, Morrison hopes to see a few of last year’s Second XV pushing for a top-team place.

He said: “One of the most exciting things about the last few weeks of the season was the number of young players who came up through our youth teams and made their debuts, with the team that won the Lanarkshire Cup in May containing only five first-team regulars.

“We’re still looking to add to our squad, but the talent now breaking through is a credit to Second XV coach Alex Reid and the various coaches who work with the youth teams.”

Hamilton kick-off their pre-season friendlies on August 2 with both First and Second XVs hosting Cartha Queen’s Park at Laigh Bent.

August 9 sees both sides travel to take on Premiership One side Stirling County.

A Sevens team heads for Kelso on August 16, while the remainder of the first and seconds face Cambuslang at Laigh Bent.

The firsts round off their preparation with a trip to Darlington on August 23, and take part in the Selkirk sevens the following day.

Hamilton’s successful over-40s tournament takes place on August 23, the under-18s face Aberdeen at home on August 24, and a mix of seconds and thirds play Dalziel two days later.

Under-17 players Chris King, Ross Inglis, Iain McGarrity and Grant Sneddon travelled to Perpignan in France on June 25 for a two-week training camp with the SRU development side and Glasgow Thistle.

Ross was this week invited to take part in this year’s Scottish Rugby National Camp in Struan, and has earned a place on the SRU national age-group programme for under-17s for season 2008-09.

Joining Ross at the camp in Struan were S2 players Scott Murray and Marc Rodgers.

Hamilton have been busy off the park as well, with a number of club changes after their recent AGM.

Senior vice-president Donald Woodrow takes over as president from Ian Smith, who stepped down last season.

Last year’s junior vice-president, Alex Inglis, steps up to the senior vice-president role, while Jack Ryan takes the junior vice-president post. Kevin Rodgerson and Donald Calder replace Alan Clisby and Barry Wright as club secretary and treasurer, respectively.