Lanarkshire rugby clubs hope to beat the weather.

Jan 7 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BIGGAR coach Ants Posa this week called for a restructure of the Scottish rugby calendar to avoid a possible fixtures pile-up.

Biggar are currently fifth in the Scottish Hydro Premier 2 table and Posa is preparing them for Saturday’s match at Haddington, looking to do better than the 5-5 draw at Hartreemill on October 3.

But snow has blighted the Scottish landscape and it’s unlikely the game at Neilson Park will be on.

With freezing conditions set to continue, Posa is concerned that postponements might become common in January.

He said: “It’s another tough game. We feel that the last time against Haddington we under-performed and we were disappointed to come out of it with a draw.

“But to be honest our biggest concern at the moment is the weather and getting the game on.

“We haven’t played in three weeks or so and we’re hopeful of getting a game on at the weekend – but to be honest I can’t see it.

“It’s looking pretty bleak, but those are the cards we’re dealt and we just need to keep appearing and keep on training to the best of our ability.”

Posa made it clear that he’s not advocating summer rugby, as he knows that isn’t likely to ever happen, but he would like to see changes.

He said: “It is frustrating because you prepare for the game and then it’s off.

“I can’t see why the season is structured in the way it is, given the conditions at this time of the year.

“It’s easy to say ‘let’s play summer rugby’ but there are various reasons why we can’t.

“However, let’s try and play when it’s better weather – start the season earlier and finish by Christmas.

“But I’m not the boss and my hardest task at the moment is to keep the morale up and keep my players hungry for the games that we do get to play.”

In the Scottish Hydro Premier 3, fourth-placed Hamilton entertain Morgan Academy FP, who sit two places and six points below them.

The Bulls will be looking to avenge a 27-13 defeat on October 3.

National League Division One leaders Dalziel take on sixth-placed East Kilbride at Dalziel Park.

Dalziel will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run and a nine-point advantage over second-placed Whitecraigs, but East Kilbride will want to show they’re better than a 22-6 defeat at Torrance House on October 3 might suggest.

In the Scottish Hydro West League Division Two, Clydesdale take on Cowal at Dunoon Stadium for the first time this season.

The sides were due to meet at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park on September 19 and then on November 11 but both were postponed. Saturday’s clash is itself a rescheduling of a fixture on November 7.

Clydesdale’s home clash against Cowal has been pencilled in for January 30.

Similarly, Strathaven tackle Arran at Whiteshawgate for the first time this season after their fixture at Ormidale Sports Pavilion was postponed on October 3.

Saturday’s game is a rescheduling of a fixture originally planned for December 12.

The away match will now take place on January 30.

Scottish Hydro West League Division Three side Lanark hope it’s third time lucky as they attempt to host Mid-Argyll. This fixture was postponed on September 19 and a second attempt on December 19 also fell foul of weather conditions.

Fixtures scheduled for Saturday, January 9, are:

Scottish Hydro Premier 2: Haddington v Biggar.

Scottish Hydro Premier 3: Hamilton v Morgan Academy FP.

Scottish Hydro National League 1: Dalziel v East Kilbride.

Scottish Hydro West League 2: Cowal v Clydesdale; Strathaven v Arran.

Scottish Hydro West League 3: Lanark v Mid-Argyll.

All games kick off at 2pm.