Peeblesshire News | Sport | Hogarth calls for fixture solution

Saturday, 10th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 21st November, 2008 12:30

Hogarth calls for fixture solution

By Atholl Innes

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A BORDERS rugby director this week called for a bit of a common sense approach over club fixtures during the autumn international windows.

Clubs voted to play through the November while Scotland were in a action.

But Peebles’ Bob Hogarth feels that the games could have been arranged in a better format.

Peebles asked this weekend’s opponents, Stewart’s Melville, to play tonight Friday. However, the club, which includes SRU president, Allan Munro, among its members, declined.

Now Peebles will kick off tomorrow at 12.15 p.m. with the potential loss of hospitality – a growing feature of Saturday matches.

“Would it not have been possible for the Championship Committee to plan games such as Peebles v. Kelso or Gala v. Jed-Forest?” Mr Hogarth asked.

“Border League clubs will play under the lights, and with a bit of foresight this could have been achieved.

“I know with the best will of the world, you will not please everyone, but this would have been worth considering. I do not think that it would be too difficult.”

Hogarth has an ally in Selkirk coach Kevin Barrie.

“Early kick-offs are knocking everything ‘off the stot’, he said. “Sundays, early kick-offs - we have to be mentally stronger to meet those demands.

“I thought that we were slow out of the blocks on Sunday at Stirling (Selkirk won 30-29). But a game of rugby is a game of rugby, and we need to try and adjust to the times.”

Meanwhile, Gala and Biggar have agreed to play tonight under the Netherdale floodlights with Biggar desperate for points to ease away from the relegation zone.

Scotland’s international against Canada tomorrow, Saturday, kicks off at 2.45 p.m. – so club matches will begin around High Noon or just after so that fans can either get to the game (Aberdeen?) or watch it on television.

In the past three weeks, Selkirk have kicked off at 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, 2 p.m. on a Sunday, and this Saturday probably 12.15 p.m.

But fans have to know – and I did notice that the Hawick RFC noticeboard at the entrance to the town said: “Hawick’s next home game: March 25.” That is last season, of course!

Meanwhile, Peebles will hope for better luck with the return game against Stewart’s Melville – two players saw ‘red’ in the first match. And although Peebles won the appeal, it was too late to rescue the points.

Drew Moore returns to the Peebles side and they will have new hooker Stephen Groat on the bench.

With Ryan McConnell on Scotland under-20 duty after the New Year, Peebles moved quickly to strengthen the squad, and with Trevor Keen also back after injury, Peebles will be stronger in that department.

Croat is originally from Orkney, but has been playing in the Central Belt.

However, missing will be Adam Clark, who is still in Australia, Craig Hunter and Callum Farmer.

Stewart’s Melville are one place above Peebles, who will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten home record.

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