Crucial test for County

Oct 31 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING County face their biggest game of the season tomorrow (Saturday) at home to Hawick.

Sitting 10 points adrift of Glasgow Hawks and Hawick in Scottish Hyrdo Electric Premiership Division One, the Bridgehaugh side tackle the Greens, knowing that a win is vital.

Coaching convener John Wright was putting it mildly when he said the match was a “must-win”.

He added: “We’ve got to win this one. If we don’t we’re going to be cut away at the bottom of the table.”

Saturday’s postponed game at home to Selkirk meant some of Stirling’s walking wounded have had some time to recover and one boost for the side is that inspirational Craig Deacons will play after dislocating his thumb against Melrose.

He takes his place in the back row alongside Colin Eadie and Aca Ratuva, who replaces Kevin Bryce, currently in Dubai with the Scottish Sevens squad.

There are also two new faces on the bench: centre Steve Wilson, who joins the club from Heriots and forward Greig Scott, who has been at Boroughmuir. Professional Ryan Grant won’t feature as he is on holiday for a week, while fellow pro Roland Reid has been listed in the replacements, since his wife is due to give birth any day now and he may be unavailable.

The full squad is: Allan Robertson, Lindsay, Hamilton, Archibald, Aitken; McGowan and Alan Robertson; Logan, Moffat, Davies, Gilchrist, MacFarlane, Eadie, Deacons and Ratuva. Repalcements are P Wilson, Reid, Adams, Calder, S Wilson and Scott.

“All we’re needing is a break,” said Wright. “A few weeks ago at Currie we were leading 10-3 when Kevin Bryce scored under the posts, only for it to be ruled out for a forward pass.

“Then against Ayr Ratuva was stopped just short of the line and we lost by a few points.

“If these had gone with us we’d have a couple of wins under our belts and things would have looked a lot rosier.”