Support Club Rugby, There's A Lot Going On There

MY REGULAR Saturday afternoon rugby watching takes place around the BT Premiership, you know, that level of rugby which, in spite of being: “not fit for purpose” continually throws-up exciting rugby which does not leave the spectators feeling short-changed.

There is always plenty of action when Ayr and Melrose clash

Now that the Premiership is down to the final game, Saturday's Greenyards Grand Final between Melrose, who have been the outstanding and most-consistent side throughout the 18 rounds of regular season play, and defending Champions Ayr, looking to reprise last season's smash and grab raid on the main prize at the same ground, I have been looking around to see where else exciting meaningful rugby is on offer in Scotland.

And, the answer is – there are a lot of grounds worth visiting, if you want to see hard-fought matches, which mean something, across a few divisions. Take National League 1, for instance, where the season-long battle for promotion to the top flight, between Edinburgh Academical and Jed-forest is going right to the wire.

Accies, at one point, seemed to be heading inexorably for promotion, but, Jed have doggedly pursued them, became the first side to lower Accies' colours and, while the Edinburgh aristocrats have a huge points difference advantage, in actual points won, they are neck and neck. The way the fixtures have worked out too, the two promotion candidates face their closest challengers, none of whom can themselves go up, over the final games, so, the post of king-maker is there to be claimed.

Aside from the big battle at the Greenyards, Match of the Day on Saturday looks like being at Beveridge Park, where Kirkcaldy play hosts to Hamilton in a first v second match in National League 2. Kirkcaldy are one point clear of Hamilton, so, whoever wins on Saturday will take a massive step towards the league title. [(Editor's edit) - Results guru Ron Evans has just (gleefully) texted me to point out, that last sentence is absolute, honking shite. Kirkcaldy are NINE points clear of Hamilton, so, a home win on Saturday will guarantee them the title. Aye well, we all get things wrong occasionally.]

There is another top of the table clash in National League 3, at New Anniesland, where Glasgow Accies welcome Newton Stewart. Accies have a three-point lead in the table, but, they will, even with home advantage, not treat their visitors lightly.

At the foot of the table, there is another dog fight, to avoid the drop into the Regional Leagues. Dalziel prop up the table on 16 points, Haddington are just above them, again on 16, with Perthshire on 19 points and Orkney on 20. It's all, not least survival, to play for down there.

Action and drama all the way in the Regional Leagues too

What of the Regional Leagues? In Caledonia, Cathness are nearly there and, if they don't choke over the home straight, seem assured of National League rugby next season. That hurdle has already been jumped in Edinburgh, where Hawick Harlequins are already assured of the title and a place in National 3 next season.

But, over in the West, the old Glasgow District, boy is it tight. Carrick, who on Saturday beat Alloa to reach their third straight BT Shield final – in which, on “Silver Saturday” they will face Hawick Harlequins – are heading West 1, by seven points from long term table-toppers Allan Glen's. The 'Rick are clear favourites, hitting form at the right time, but, although they might need other results to go their way, Garnock can not be dismissed from the promotion equation.

It's just as tight in West 2, where Paisley lead the table, but, Cumnock and Strathendrick, with games in hand, look likely to dispute the destination of the title. Here again the way the fixtures have fallen adds spice, with Strathendrick heading for Anchor on Saturday, to take on the Buddies, before hosting Cumnock the following Saturday.

How these two fixtures finish will have a huge effect on the final outcome. All of the above demonstrates, club rugby is alive and well in Scotland, why not get out there and support it.

THE SRU'S marketing boys and girls are throwing everything and more that they have at “Silver Saturday”, Saturday, 28 April, and well done to them.

A full day of cup finals kicks-off, even before the sun is over the yardarm, with the BT Bowl Final, between Wigtownshire and a team from the other end of Scotland, Ross Sutherland.

This is followed by the Shield final, to which I have alluded before, with East League Champions Hawick Harlequins facing defending shield holders and favourites for the West League crown, Carrick.

Then it's the turn of the girls, with the final of the Sarah Beaney Cup. The finalists in this one will not be known until after Sunday's semi-finals, in which Hillhead-Jordanhill face Stirling County, and Murrayfield Wanderers entertain Watsonians. With the ladies, it is never clever to make assumptions, but, on past form, you have to fancy the two home semi-finalists to again go head-to-head in the final.

If, after all that action, you are still needing more rugby, sit tight, with Stirling County, in their first final, taking on cup holders Melrose in the BT Cup Final. 'Rose may well, by then, be seeking a league and cup double, but, either way, this should sizzle.

Yet, all these games are merely the preamble, with the all-day festival of rugby finishing with the third and deciding leg of the 1872 Cup, between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I wonder which of the final two games Niko Matawalu will be playing in, after his fantastic cameo for County in their semi-final win over Hawick last Saturday.

FINALLY, and I type this with crossed fingers, so pardon any typos, well done to Iain Monaghan and his Scotland Under-18 squad, who opened their Under-18 tournament in Wales with an excellent win over England.

Now, while I was – rightly I believe – critical of the selection system when it was discussed on the Scottish Rugby Forum pages on Facebook, I have to commend the young Scots on this victory. But, as any sports historian, such as I, could tell the boys, beating England, while always welcome, must not be the be-all and end-all for a Scotland team.

Scottish sports history, right across the sporting spectrum is awash with instances where we have pruned the roses, then been entangled by weeds next time out. The boys have set a base level, now is the time to build on it and keep the victories coming.

Let's hope we get equally-welcome news from the Under-16 tournament at Colwyn Bay, where three Scottish squads, including the “Scotland Greens” group, made-up of boys recruited living furth of “God's Country” through the somewhat controversial “Scotland-Qualified” programme, are in action.