Hamilton coach Dale Lyon hopes to secure promotion with a four-try victory over Whitecraigs

Mar 31 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON can secure a swift return to Premier 2 rugby on Saturday – but will have to beat champions-elect Whitecraigs to do so.

The Newton Mearns side have already secured one of the two promotion slots and a four-try victory over Hamilton would see them crowned as Premier 3 champions.

However, Hamilton have just as big an incentive as they bid to bounce back from relegation at the first attempt.

The Bulls will start as underdogs having lost 28-7 to Whitecraigs at Laigh Bent earlier this season – one of only two defeats this term – but it’s a game which coach Dale Lyon is looking forward to.

He said: “With four games left, we require four points to gain promotion but this weekend’s game against Whitecraigs means much more than this – it will show the young Bulls team how far they have progressed since the start of the season as Whitecraigs are the only team who will be able to achieve the double against us.

“It will also send out a message that if we are to move up to Premier 2, we intend to stay there.

“We have looked closely at how we want to play the game for this weekend and, after a really good training session on Saturday which we are going to build on throughout the week, we feel that we can play a game that warrants our promotion to Premier 2.”

Should Hamilton be unable to triumph against Whitecraigs this weekend they will have further opportunities to pick up the points needed in their final three games – away to Dalziel on April 9, Ardrossan at Laigh Bent on April 16 and away to Cartha Queen’s Park on April 23.

Hamilton go into the game with some fitness doubts, while family commitments will rule out Chris Hunter, one of their most consistent performers this season.

However, David McGrath and Craig and Ross Inglis should come back into contention.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s schools’ programme development officer Jared Tuoro is leaving after two-and-a-half years at the club.

A club spokesman said of the New Zealander: “Throughout his time in Hamilton, Jared has had a positive impact and has been well received as he worked with teachers responsible for rugby and Active Schools co-ordinators throughout the area.

“As well as the club’s objective of introducing large numbers of new players to the youth section an added benefit has been the way he has worked with the club’s existing coaches to raise the standards of youth coaching across the age groups.

“Despite his short time in the country he is well regarded across the Scottish rugby community.”

Jared and wife Huia Paul will move on to Calgary in Canada and Saints Rugby Club where both have secured positions as coaches/players.