The only way is up for Graeme

David Knox • Published 26 Aug 2011 09:30 0 Comments

PEEBLES kick off the new season with a journey into the unknown at Whitecraigs and with Graeme Paterson, the new Director of Rugby, offering confidence for the future.

The Gytes men will face fellow-Borderers, Jed-Forest, Kelso and Selkirk in a nip-and tuck league while great rivals Biggar are also in the mix.

Adding fire to the competition is that ex-Peebles coach, Gary Parker, has moved back to Biggar with Gerry McGuinness taking over at The Gytes. Biggar open with a home game to Hillhead/Jordanhill and the local clubs will not meet until October 15 in Peebles

Paterson is delighted to have seen Colts Dalton Hall, Andy Nowlan, Greg Raeburn and Jonny Morris step up to the mark.

"They are our primary source of talent and I am hoping that they challenge for positions in the senior teams. Our squad has completed a rigorous pre-season training and game schedule. The final weekend saw the squad win the Annan 15-a-side tournament. The afternoon resulted in four wins to claim the title. One of the pleasing things was the shut out for the entire afternoon in terms of tries."

The arrival of Jake Serex and Clemens Kaindl will provide ballast in the second row and Nathan Mackay is looking sharp, covering scrum half, stand-off and full back with local players Rory Milne and Charles Flanders returning as well as a young hooker Josh Forrester, a former member of the Newcastle Falcons Academy.

At Biggar, the squad is progressing, but is still short of some key players as, among others, Conor Lavery and Iain Renwick are still in New Zealand.

Club spokesman Al Stewart said: "The feeling we have is that this could be a massive season for all Premier 2 clubs. Hillhead Jordanhill will be a tough start for us although we ran them ragged last year at this time."

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