Bulls’ fight is on... as they face drop

Jan 22 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Rugby Club coach Ian Morrison this week admitted the Laigh Bent side will have to improve substantially if they are to survive relegation.

The Bulls are facing the drop from the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier 2 after Saturday’s 58-10 defeat at Gala, which saw the borders side run in NINE tries at Netherdale.

Hamilton’s run-in isn’t easy, with four of their remaining six fixtures against top-five sides, starting when fourth-placed Jed-Forest visit Laigh Bent on Saturday.

Although Morrison is confident of turning things around, he knows Hamilton face a tough task.

He said: “Everyone connected with Hamilton is deeply disappointed and upset about how we handled the game and allowed Gala to dominate – even in our areas of strength.

“However, that game is now behind us, and while we have watched the the video and learned the lessons of where we failed, the important thing now is to concentrate on what has to be done in the six remaining games.

“The good news is that with the teams who are round about us – Biggar, Musselburgh and Aberdeen Grammar – all losing, all of the other results on Saturday went the way we would have wished.”

The coach added: “While we are still 10 points behind Biggar, the next four teams above them are only another three or four points ahead.

“We can still take something from this season, but we will have to improve substantially on that performance.”

l PRESIDENT backs his coaching staff – see page 102 .