As the sun shone over New Anniesland, players gathered with relief that the rain of 2012’s tournament had been replaced with blue skies and forecasts of perfect golfing conditions. Team Captain’s Wilson and Hamilton perused their chosen squads with both confidence and mutual respect. Only one player tried to pull a ‘McIlroy’ and turn up late, but what else would Fabrizio Marchetti expect when driving a car clearly designed for the fairer sex.

Players embarked on Fairline coaches finest with a buzz of enthusiasm and sounds of laughter which lasted throughout the journey, even when Craig ‘Nifty’ Wright, cleaned out their wallet’s for the day. As a ‘pray of silence for the port’ was impeccably obeyed, the captains went on to announce the morning playing order. Colour drained from Chairman Campbell’s face when the reality of a morning round with both the ‘Smith Sisters’ hit home. The inevitable ‘forwards Vs backs’ banter kicked off as Fraz Cameron and Gadget looked down on the more vertically challenged Craig Wright and Bondi. Alan Wilson’s enthusiasm to lead from the front was quickly dampened as Milto produced the prize for the days first award of ‘worst shot of the day. Interestingly the smile never left the face of Arnaud ‘Van de Velde’ Fauvre as he received his team polo from Captain Wilson, only time would tell if his decision to play his second ever game of golf in such a ruthless environment would be wise.

Players devoured their breakfast as Tinker broke into the bar in order to get hold of the ‘Sky’ remote. Anxious to fill the two hour gap till his tee time McKnight felt it best to revert to type and sit down to watch the All Blacks play France. Unfortunately this scribe lost count as to the number of references he made to “when he managed a bar in NZ” throughout the game. Richie was however prised away from the TV set in order to take his space in the squad photo, and allow fellow players the first glimpse of his somewhat questionable Khaki socks and shorts combo. Perhaps Richard was anticipating some time ‘in the wild’. His excellent introduction of the players ‘on the tee’ added the necessary little bit of tension.

Whilst the pace of the morning fourball’s were slower than hoped, it allowed players to catch up on the tee boxes around the front nine. Word soon spread of Stu ‘Coo heed’ Smiths air shot on the first tee, though team Stroker (Red) overcame this shame to take an early lead in all 5 matches. The Divots were not to be shaken off easily however and came back with some spectacular shots, none more so than Scott ‘Vince’ Thorburn draining a mid iron for eagle. Chairman Campbell and Accies resident crayon connoisseur Ali Smith showed that the fight was alive in team divot, clawing a draw from their match having been two down with two to play. It was ultimately agreed however that the appearance of the ‘bloke selling beers from a Buggy’ was the highlight of the morning foursomes.

Half way scores:
Team Strokers (Red) 3.5 pts

Team Divots (Blue) 1.5 pts

With a bottle of the rich red juice in every group, and having taken down a few refreshments over lunch, players re-convened to begin the singles matchplay. Could team Divot do it? was there scope for the Kinross GC equivelent of Medinah? Captain Wilson certainly had the belief as he quickly seen off Euan Duncan with a score that for Euan’s own sanity ought not to be repeated. Alas the valiant efforts of team Divot’s leader came to no evail, the lead created in the morning was not only unassialable, but extended by a ruthless Strokers side. George Campbell was heard to have offered his hand whilst 2 up after 13 in order to secure the point with less embaressment to his partners record. Some might say there was also a ‘thirst enduced’ motivation to this gesture.

No sporting event would be complete without controversy. Initially it was suspected that this may be taken by Ross Chassel’s actively celebrating as his nearest the pin effort held on to its position amidst a storm of balls from the following group, however the real incident was to occur on the tree lined 18^th hole amidst the longest drive competition. With 12 players gathered to hit the longest drive on the 18^th, many fell victim to over enthusiasm until Ali ‘Ginge’ McLaren stepped up. Having seen off Ross Kennedy in his match up, the little fella kept a cool head and defeated all ‘big and powerful’ logic to boom a laser like drive close to 300 yards down the middle. What was to happen next is more commonly associated with a round at Glasgow City Councils finest Municipals. Appearing from the shadows of the trees on the right, a young whipper snapper shot across the fairway, barely breaking stride as he / she reached down to ‘acquire’ McLarens ball and scamper ferrett like into the woods on the left. Subsequent drives (Gadget’s) may well have ran Ali close, though with nothing to measure against, and the sheer humour of the preceeding events it was agreed Ali’s estimated ball location should be recorded to eventually win the prize.

As the majority of players pressed on to the bar, the final controversy of the day was left to that man McKnight. Standing on the 18^th tee, facing the prospect of a prize, his opponent Bondi opted to play a 5 iron. Tinker’s head went out the game and Bondi won the hole. Mr McKNight has a year left to dwell on his course management (and sock) choices.

Final score:

Team Strokers (Red) 9 pts

Team Divots (Blue) 6 pts

As if to rub salt in the wounds The strokers went on to secure victory in the ‘Bridge challenge’ with Fabi stepping up to the plate and displaying his Prop forward tendencies to sink the best part of 1/3 of a bottle himself. Something he visibly regretted as he got off the bus in Glasgow.

Many thanks for the day have to go to Kinross GC and Fairline coaches for their support. Similarly a great deal of thanks to Vision OS who along with Mike Walker came up with this years cracking Polo shirt design. We are looking forward to see what they have up their sleeve for us next year!

Prizes on the day as follows:

Champions:’The Strokers’

Longest Drive: Ali McLaren

Nearest the pin: Stew Smith

D1ck of the day: Stew Smith (Air shot on the first tee)

Laurence of Arabia: Nigel Campbell (Most time spent in the sand)

Wet Willie: Steven Wilson (first player in the water)

Shot of the day: Scott Thorburn

Spirit of ‘Eccies’ Arnaud Fauvre

Highest grossing player (Red): Chris Hamilton

Highest grossing player (Blue) Alan Wilson

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Nigel Campbell, GARFC Chairman said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce these new appointments. “Coups” and Graham bring with them a wealth of UKCC coaching expertise and, with their backgrounds in Pathway and District age-group rugby, a great deal of experience in developing young players. We believe that this can only be of benefit to the development of our predominantly young squad and bodes well for the medium term future of the Club.”

“And importantly, as a part of “Anniesland Rugby” along with Hawks and GHK, this move by Accies to secure 2 of the most promising young coaches in the country from within our own collective ranks shows to the wider Scottish rugby public that coaches, as well as players, can have a clear development path at Anniesland.”

John Couper said: “ Graham and I are really pleased to be joining Accies. They’ve got in place a real determination to develop both on and off the pitch, some great facilities and their commitment to develop young players is unquestionable. We look forward to working with the team at New Anniesland, particularly Strength & Conditioning Coach Duncan Beattie as we all get ready for the new season.”

Note:
John Couper:

• -   is 2012 / 13 SRU Youth Coach of the Year;
• -   UKCC L2 (shortly L3) qualified;
• -   has coached Hawks U16 & U18’s to Scottish Youth Cup, West League & West Cup wins in the last 2 seasons;
• -   is a Glasgow Warriors U16’s coach; and
• -   played age-group representative rugby for Scotland at U18, U19 & U21 age grades and was for 3 seasons part of the Glasgow / Glasgow U21 set up.

Graham Boyle:

• -   is formerly assistant coach at Garnock RFC (2007-12);
• -   UKCC L1 qualified and SRU Fitness & Conditioning L2 qualified;
• -   is SRU Pathway Coach for Glasgow North;
• -   played for both the Royal Navy Scotland and Combined Services
• -   has previously competed in the RN Field Gun competition at Earl’s Court andwas a member of the RN PT team at both Faslane and Rosyth.

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Please keep an eye on the posts for the arrangements for next season.

The post MINIS AGM appeared first on Glasgow Accies Rugby Club.

Accies boys win Mull 7s

Accies reach final of the Oban 7s playing for Oban

Recently a number of our very own Glasgow Accies boys travelled to Mull and Oban to take part in both 7s tournaments there. The first week Classic and Bobby travelled to mull to stay with Mull local Angus MacCallum, who plays and trains for accies throughout the year. As Accies didn’t have the numbers to make a full team due to student players “studying” the accies boys joined the Oban team through ties with Gus. Their first tournament at Mull was a great success with the boys going on to win the tournament beating Stirling County, Livingstone, Stobswell, Ellon and then Mull in the final, which also had a couple a Academy boys playing and showing their class for them, Ciaran Whyte and Euan McKirdy. Robert Beattie won player of the tournament with 10 tries in total, Classic Andy Brown got 9 tries and it must be noted that the local hero Gus MacCallum managed to rack up a whopping……one whole try!!! Here’s a video of their mull trip!

The following week the Accies boys joined the Oban lads again for their own tournament with the addition of Kenny Beattie and Fergus Matheson. The boys again made it to the final to play the 2nd Mercian Regiment of the Fijian British Army. The boys made a great start with a 12-o lead at half time but in the 2nd half the Army boys came back and tied the game 12-12 and with the last play of the game they broke the lines to take the game. All round a great effort from all the boys involved and we as a club look forward to seeing where  this “Oban Accidemicals” relationship will go.

The post Accies Boys 7s Success! appeared first on Glasgow Accies Rugby Club.

It is with regret that Glasgow Accies announces the departure of Head Coach, Davey Wilson.

Nigel Campbell, GARFC Chairman said: ” After a promising first season at the Club in which we finished a creditable 4th position in the RBS West Division 1, we understand that a change in Davey’s personal circumstances made it difficult to commit for the forthcoming season with certainty. We’ve valued his input and he moves on with our best wishes.”

Davey Wilson said: ” I wish everyone at New Anniesland the very best but as I now live in Edinburgh, travelling through to Glasgow for training and match-days is no longer feasible. Accies is a club with real potential and I look forward to watching their progress in the next few seasons.

“so long ya bunch of (good guys)”

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Maha Songkran, derived from Sanskrit Maha Sankranti, is the name of the first day of the new year celebration. It is the ending of the year and the beginning of a new one. People dress up and light candles and burn incense sticks at shrines, where the members of each family pay homage to offer thanks for the Buddha’s teachings by bowing, kneeling and prostrating themselves three times before his image. For good luck people wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at noon, and their feet in the evening before they go to bed.

Virak Wanabat is the name of the second day of the new year celebration. People contribute charity to the less fortunate by helping the poor, servants, homeless, and low-income families. Families attend a dedication ceremony to their ancestors at the monastery.

T’ngai Leang Saka is the name of the third day of the new year celebration. Buddhists cleanse the Buddha statues and their elders, with perfumed water. Bathing the Buddha images is the symbol that water will be needed for all kinds of plants and lives. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will bring longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in life. By bathing their grandparents and parents, children can obtain from them best wishes and good advice for the future.

“What relevance (other than the date of course) does this have to Saturday’s match against GHK?”……I hear you ask. Plenty…..however the parallels are too blindingly obvious, and my time equally short. So I shall proceed with the necessaries.

On a fresh Spring afternoon these two Behemoths of Anniesland rugby took to the well manicured turf of New Anniesland, to write yet another chapter in a playing history that some say is older than Gordon Wilson himself. A hearty support for both teams had come to indulge old rivalries borne out of a geographical proximity which has proven just a bit too close for comfort over the years. A significant GHK representation had crossed the Gaza Strip that is the proverbial “Fence”, to support their most recent batch of martyrs in their quest for the perfect death…..and the scene was set.

To the delight of the home support, it was to be the Academicals who opened the scoring through their stand in number 10, and teen dream, Robert Beattie. In the 5^th Minute, Beattie cut a familiar line through the GHK midfield, and outstripped the remaining defenders to touch down in the corner. 7 – 0.

In a match which saw the breakdown prove the most competitive area, there was to be a high resultant penalty count from related infringements and in the 7^th minute GHK opened their account from one such ruck in the Accies 22. Some “sticky fingers” from the Accies back row, allowed GHK to slot the duly awarded penalty to take the score to 7 – 3.

Both teams have achieved success in recent seasons via their respective speedsters in the back line, and as such both defences were eager to apply pressure in the midfield where possible. An over eagerness however from Accies in the 15^th minute resulted in a GHK penalty which was knocked over from 30 metres to claw the scorline back to 7 – 6.

GHK took their first try of the game 5 minutes later following some exciting inter passing down the left flank. A break down on the half way line saw the ball moved to the blind side, where the visitors found themselves with men over and were able to put their winger in the corner for a well worked score. 7 – 11.

Despite some enterprising play from both sides over the next 20 minutes, defensive lines proved difficult to penetrate, and neither team was able to supplement their tally prior to the half time break, which saw the score remain at 7 – 11.

In the absence of Mr D Wilson (who is understood to be working on his bikini line in the Mediterranean) it was down to caretaker manager Beattie to rally his troops at the interval. Never one to shy away from unfounded speculation, I can only assume that there would have been general contentment at the score line, however a recognition that urgency and accuracy would both have to improve in the second half. Accies had not played badly by any means over the first 40 mins, however at times were found wanting for ideas to break down a very enthusiastic GHK defence.

The second half commenced as the first had finished, with both teams refusing to concede in defence. It was however the competitive breakdown area which allowed Accies to add to their tally in the 15^th minute when GHK were deemed to have entered the ruck from the side. A relatively straightforward penalty kick took the score to 10 – 11.

The next try by GHK captured the nature of the fixture perfectly, in that it took the Kelvinsiders seven phases of play to ultimately cross the line. A series of pick and go’s took GHK deep into the home 22 area, and following a collapsed mall, the visiting flanker took the opportunity to dive over from 2 metres to stretch the lead to 10 – 16.

The game was almost put almost out of reach in the 35^th minute when GHK took another try in very similar circumstances. Showing great ability to retain possession, a series of driving carries once again took the High Schoolers into the defending 22, and a team effort carried the ball over the Accies line, pushing the score out to 10 – 21.

The home support were now turning their thoughts to mutton pies and draft lager, however this Accies team had recently secured one of the memorable come backs in modern sporting history, and had no intention of rolling over to their Anniesland neighbours. The strike back was indeed to come in the 39^th minute when Man of the Match Andy Smith took a very well deserved score. Accies had run almost every penalty that afternoon however, following a penalty award 30m from the GHK line, an executive decision was taken to kick for the corner. The lineout led to a series of driving efforts from the Accies pack, and Smith’s work rate was awarded when a gap in the GHK line allowed him to pounce over, reducing the deficit to 15 – 21.

Suddenly with an opportunity to pinch victory in the final throes, Accies re started the game with real vigour and quickly retained possession. The final play of the game saw the ball moved across the field where Accies found themselves with numbers to spare. The Gods of Anniesland rugby had however moved their own thoughts to that of mutton pies and draft lager, and an Accies scoring pass was deemed to have gone forward, thus bringing proceedings to an end.

It is often difficult to remain impartial when considering an encounter of this nature, however I am sure both sets of supporters would agree that there was very little to differentiate the two Anniesland sides. Both defences worked hard to constrain their opponents, and this resulted in what was a very tight and well contested match. Clearly disappointing for the home team given their recent success against Kilmarnock, however many positives to take as we continue to see this young Accies side grow in stature.

A final and special mention to two of our long standing servants, Mr J Walker and Mr A Taylor Esq. Apparently they are leaving to pursue their respective careers on different sides of the planet…..however this scribe suspects they are running off to San Francisco, where they can live together in a slightly more “accepting” environment. Best of luck guys, and I hope to see you next Chaul Chnam Thmey.

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Well, an extremely well-informed Daily Mail reader (wishing to remain anonymous – we NEVER reveal our sources!!) has brought to our attention a recent article about the latest activities of NA’s favourite rodent.

And what a surprise it proved!  Like us, you no doubt thought that our very own “Castor canadensis” alternated his holiday activities between Viper, Bar-B-Q King’s and bed (anyone’s), but it would seem he’s been a little more active than anyone would have thought! Check out the details here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2307572/Beaver-attack-Fisherman-killed-BEAVER-tried-photo-lake-Belarus.html .

Fishermen, eh! Who’d have thought it!

The post So just what does….. appeared first on Glasgow Accies Rugby Club.

E McLaren, R Watts, F Marchetti, M Walker, P Meiklem, A Smith, K Beattie, J Walker, A Jackson (c), R Beattie, J Watson, A MacCallum, J Williamson, A Smith, C Wright, D Calder, A Taylor, A Bodel & A N Other.

Rock ‘n’ roll boys, rock ‘n’ roll !!!

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And, shocked though we were, there was really no stopping this Sky lovelie when she purred: “Rosco’s mine. I just love his silky skills!” (Erm, that’ll do: Webmaster).

So there you have it boys – you’re not “up to it” according to this Sky TV beauty. Other than Rosco of course (obviously).Go prove her wrong.

And doing so (other than Ms. G’s Golden Boy) will be: Iain, Doigo, Ali, Josh, Lloyd, Frazer, Aldo, Si Cad, Tao, Chris m, Arnaud, Euan D, Dillon, Pogs, George and Stew.

12.45pm meet at the Clubhouse.

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