Lanarkshire rugby clubs idle due to winter weather

Dec 2 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

THE earliest snowfall for 17 years caused an almost complete wipeout of Scottish Rugby’s fixtures last weekend.

Hamilton’s Premier 3 clash against third-placed Ardrossan Academicals couldn’t go ahead as the Laigh Bent pitches were frozen and a similar fate befell Dalziel’s visit to Morgan Academy Former Pupils in Dundee.

Biggar’s Hartreemill and Showfield pitches being frozen forced off their Premier C clash with Kelso.

Having been without competitive action since November 6, West League clubs would have been relishing the prospect of Regional Bowl second-round clashes – but all were called off.

Clydesdale’s trip to Lenzie was postponed, as was Strathaven’s visit to Strathendrick.

As the West League Division Two is a nine-team division, Clydesdale sit out this weekend’s round of fixtures.

Lanark, unfortunately, reached Oban Lorne’s Glencruitten Drive ground before being told Saturday’s tie was postponed.

Lanark were given assurances earlier in the morning that the pitch at nearby Connel was playable but in spite of a delayed start the pitch failed a referee’s inspection, prompting a long and disappointing day for both players and supporters.

The arctic weather conditions also look set to put paid to Lanark’s Primary Schools Rugby Festival, planned for the Racecourse tomorrow (Friday).

Uddingston were due to host Wigtownshire at Bothwell Castle Policies, but a frozen pitch put paid to those plans.

Uddingston last Thursday became the first west of Scotland club to be supplied with a defibrillator by the Craig Hodgkinson Trust.

The potentially life-saving equipment was installed within the clubhouse for the benefit of all members and guests.

Representatives of the rugby and ladies’ hockey sections plus Hamilton Harriers Running Club and clubhouse staff were given training in its use by Anne Harrison, community resuscitation development officer for Scottish Ambulance Service.

Anne was also presented with a cheque for the Craig Hodgkinson Trust by Uddingston Rugby Club vice-president Andy West.

Cash was raised by a collection taken by the S1 midi rugby team at the club’s firework display, plus additional donations by S1 coach Joe James and Uddingston Rugby Club.

Weather permitting, some of Hamilton Rugby Club’s emerging talent will get the opportunity to face international opposition.

Bulls’ Under-20 and Under-17s will face two South African Barbarians XVs at Laigh Bent on Tuesday, December 7, at 6.45pm.

The South Africans are part of a larger touring party of seven teams visiting the UK, and those the Bulls will face are some of the best of their age group, drawn from schools and colleges across the country.

Hamilton head coach Dale Lyon said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to see where our youth development has reached within the world rugby scene and will be a real test for our young players. We already know that our players respond well to the pressures of league rugby but we want to see our young seniors and older juniors being put under a different type of pressure, playing against quality international opposition.

“The two Hamilton sides will be made up of players who do not play in the same squads on a regular basis so it is also an ideal opportunity to see how club captain Richard Maxton, Davy Logan and Ross Whiteside perform as coaches of a collection of newly-grouped players. It will give us pointers to how well our common approach to playing the game is working throughout the age groups.”

Spectators will be welcome at both games.

Fixtures for Saturday, December 4:

Premier C: Hillhead/Jordanhill v Biggar. Premier 3: Hamilton v Howe of Fife; Dalziel v Whitecraigs.

West League 1: Strathaven v Oban Lorne; Uddingston v Strathendrick. West League Division 3: Lanark v Bute.

All games kick off at 2pm.