EXCITING PRE SEASON NEWS FROM WHITECRAIGS RUGBY CLUB!

The pre season is now here and the build up begins to a new chapter in the club's history as we play in National 2. We have in place a fitness coach, something we felt was worthwhile and hopefully should pay dividends. Colin comes with a wealth of experience abroad and Boyd our Development officer speaks highly of him.

I am delighted that Graeme Harrowell former Captain and fly half will join the coaching team and Boyd with others will have a greater input this year so as to assist me, this hopefully should permit more individual coaching.
Behind the scenes I have been quitely attracting quality players to your club and have had a positive response and am delighted with who has taken up the challenge to join us. I calculated that over 50% of this years 1st XV will have played within the last 18 months in the Priemership but we are not complacent indeed we know this will be a tough one and we will train accordingly for it.

The fixtures for the Pre Season have been selected to prepare the players. Stockport RUFC who we play in August were promoted this year to North1 and will be a challenge. A visit to Perthshire will be a stiff test and with a midweek game against Ayr we have given ourselves "testing" fixtures.

I am delighted to renew our association with Ayr which last year saw two of our backline drafted into play in the Cup at Millbrae and throughout the season we exchanged players. I have spoken to Kenny Murray (new coach at Ayr) at length and our thoughts are along the same lines. Can I recommend during the Season that if our 1st and 2nd XV are playing away from home at some of our more remote games, that supporters visit and support Ayr at Millbrae, you will be assured of a warm welcome from all there.

Finally to all supporters, club members, young budding players and those that would like to come and give it a go. Our Club is moving forward, it is welcoming, there is a lot going on and I am looking all the time for the next young player who have the potential to pull on the jersey and play for the Club, could it be you ?
Thank you for all your support last season and look forward to the same this season.

WHITECRAIGS 32 : 3 HELENSBURGH
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WHITECRAIGS were crowned champions on Saturday after another gutsy performance handed them the title.

WHITECRAIGS 66 : 7 MARR
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WHITECRAIGS clinched promotion on Saturday in a performance hailed as “a master class in running rugby”.

A 10-try blitz from the home side ripped apart an under strength Marr team as the West Lodge men continue their march towards the league crown.

From the off ‘Craigs looked hungry and determined to kill off any lingering doubt from the home support about their championship credentials.

As a busy Season comes to an end soon and with an eye on next year, the Club is looking for volunteers on the playing side to help with the following jobs. Kit, Video Analysis, Hospitality, 2nd XV Coach, Transport. Any of these jobs are open to male or female and could come from our existing membership or indeed anyone who is retired and looking for an interest.

In terms of Coaching, a commitment will ensure the Club assists with all relevant courses and it should be seen as development role for those wishing to further a career in coaching Senior rugby

WHITECRAIGS 10 : 15 KILMARNOCK
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WHITECRAIGS bowed out of this season’s knock out competitions despite a late rallying charge on Saturday.

Playing against a strong Kilmarnock side in the first round of the National Shield ‘Craigs almost pulled off a shock result

WHITECRAIGS 22 : 14 GLENROTHES
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Whitecraigs Continue Promotion Push

Whitecraigs travelled to Glenrothes hoping to cement their position at the top of National 3. Travel plans were disrupted by the gale force winds which meant that Whitecraigs arrived late and had a rushed warm up. This lack of preparation was evident from the kick off as Glenrothes, playing with the considerable elements, took the game to the away side.

WHITECRAIGS 19 : 14 TRINITY ACADEMICALS
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A NAIL-BITING afternoon at West Lodge saw Whitecraigs edge ever closer to promotion on Saturday.

A strong Trinity Accies side made the trip from Edinburgh and frustrated the home side throughout. The opening minutes of the game were fraught with knock-ons aplenty from both sides. But it took just over 15 minutes for ‘Craigs to settle and after a controlled driving maul Smylie broke off the side and dived over for the opening points.

WHITECRAIGS 15 : 0 GREENOCK WANDERERS
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WHITECRAIGS put their league blip to the side on Saturday to blow away their supposedly superior opposition.

Greenock Wanderers were the visitors to a rain-lashed West Lodge and it was a much-changed Whitecraigs side that marched into the next round of the Scottish Cup. But the result was not a complete surprise as the two sides will almost certainly be league rivals next campaign, via a Whitecraigs promotion and a Greenock relegation.

WHITECRAIGS 0 : 3 LENZIE
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THE eagerly awaited top of the table clash between Whitecraigs and Lenzie turned into a damp squib on Saturday. As the wind and rain came howling down the players had to battle hard against the difficult conditions. After a hotly contested match it was the travelling Lenzie fans that got the result they were looking for.

WHITECRAIGS 22 : 10 DUNS
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WHITECRAIGS KEEP ON TRACK

Whitecraigs kept their promotion hopes very much alive with another well-earned victory in Division 3.   Bottom team Duns fielded their strongest team this season for what proved to be a tougher encounter than the visitors had expected.  Nonetheless the class of the Whitecraigs backs and the fitness of the entire squad saw the Mearns team come out tops.

WHITECRAIGS 36 : 7 STRATHMORE
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Whitecraigs Festive Cheer

Whitecraigs continued their winning ways with a polished performance against Strathmore on Saturday.

The home side produced another fine display of running rugby combined with excellent support play, which the travelling Forfar team found difficult to cope with.

WHITECRAIGS 50 : 7 MADRAS
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Craigs Piping Hot at Madras

Whitecraigs made the journey to St Andrews to play Madras, hoping to continue their winning form and consolidate their position at the top of the league. The faithful travelling support were not disappointed as Craigs produced an excellent controlled game of rugby in difficult conditions.

WHITECRAIGS 28 : 3 LISMORE
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NOT even a frosty cold wind howling across West Lodge could freeze Whitecraigs title charge on Saturday.

Edinburgh challengers Lismore travelled to Glasgow trying to avenge their 59 point pounding from ‘Craigs earlier in the season. And despite a much improved performance by Lismore they could not stop ‘Craigs notching up another bonus point victory. 

WHITECRAIGS 13 : 5 LASSWADE
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WHITECRAIGS arrived in Edinburgh determined to stay top of the league – and ground out a hard fought victory.

WHITECRAIGS U18s 12 : 3 CAMBUSLANG U18s
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In very blustery and wet conditions Whitecraigs powered their way to a well deserved win in this important game to qualify for the nationals.

WHITECRAIGS 3 : 3 HAWICK YM
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TORRENTIAL rain swept across West Lodge on Saturday during a dreary and frustrating afternoon.

Whitecraigs welcomed fellow pacesetters Hawick YM for what should have been an exciting rugby spectacle. But unfortunately a whistle-happy referee and the weather put a dampener on proceedings.

WHITECRAIGS 17 : 12 MARR
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WITH blustery Ayrshire conditions to deal with Whitecraigs snatched a crucial victory with a nail biting win on Saturday.

The West Lodge men travelled to Marr sitting proudly top of the league but their hosts made it a tense afternoon for the nervous travelling support.

WHITECRAIGS 30 : 6 LENZIE
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IN the toughest test of the season to date Whitecraigs showed their title-winning credentials as they smashed their way to victory.

Perfect playing conditions and a boisterous crowd ensured a masterclass in fast, flowing rugby from both teams....

WHITECRAIGS 56 : 0 DUNS
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HORRENDOUS playing conditions threatened to disrupt Whitecraigs’ title charge but another accomplished performance saw them through. Despite wind and rain sweeping across West Lodge ‘Craigs demolished a vastly under strength Duns side...

WHITECRAIGS 36 : 6 TRINITY ACCIES
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THE old sporting adage of a game of two halves was played out on Saturday as Whitecraigs ground out a deserved victory. Stout defending from ‘Craigs saw them tackling for their lives for most of the first period as Trinity Accies pounded their line...

WHITECRAIGS 45 : 5 GLENROTHES
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WHITECRAIGS 27 : 3 STRATHMORE
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In perfect playing conditions and in front of a good crowd of spectators, the young Whitecraigs team continued their run of wins in National Division 3 with a sound performance against a strong Strathmore team.  The fortress that is Inchmacoble hadn’t been breached for a long time and with both teams making several enforced changes this was never going to be a foregone conclusion.

WHITECRAIGS 55 : 7 MADRAS COLLEGE FP
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WHITECRAIGS were too hot to handle as they cruised to an easy victory on Saturday.
Visitors Madras travelled from St Andrews in confident mood after a good start to the season.
But a blistering performance by the West Lodge side saw ‘Craigs leapfrog their opponents and climb to third in the league.

WHITECRAIGS 59 : 0 LISMORE
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With the venue for this away game switched to Liberton High School in Edinburgh’s leafy subsurbs, it was Whitecraigs who came top of the class in a 9 try feast of flowing rugby against mid-table Lismore.  SRU president George Jack was among the spectators and it was the right time for Whitecraigs to post their credentials and start their determined climb to the heights of Division 3. 

WHITECRAIGS 7 : 7 LASSWADE
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This was now our third match and by now the coach was beginning to see what is required at this level to compete. Lasswade fielded an experienced pack and played through them, had it not been for our defence and the long protected period spent down in the bottom of the corner, when we repelled wave after wave of attack, the score could have read in Lasswade's favour.

HAWICK YM 23 : 13 WHITECRAIGS
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The 1st XV travelled to Hawick and in the brilliant sunshine took to the park with a changed team again, following Hendy's pre planned trip to Newcastle and with Ally Little, still not back to fitness since the first game of the season.

With the referee making his debut having moved up this season from the lower leagues, everyone hoped for a good close encounter. What followed was difficult for both teams, with the constant shrill of a whistle and a outstretched hand, which had a stop start effect on the game. Less said soonest mended but at half time both teams were locked at 10 each.

So with the second half underway, it was not long before sides were shown yellow cards. The frustration all round was tangiable and the penalty count was so high players couldn't move, without the blast of a whistle. Hawick once they managed to master tying their bootlaces, which came undone on 14 occassions scored an excellent try.

Going to the Borders is always difficult but this game did provide an invalueable insight, into what is required to get through this league. Other teams will find this a difficult journey and perhaps the loss early on in the season for us might be no bad thing and we can learn from it.

To Hawick's hooker "Scotty" who played in his early years with Ross Gillies and Stuart Henderson good luck with the Operation, hope all goes well and we will follow your progress, thanks to everyone at Hawick YM for a good day, its a sad day all the same when you can't ruck in the borders !!