The final curtain for County

Mar 27 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

PRIDE and a good few quid are at stake for the County players tomorrow (Saturday) when visitors Boroughmuir bring down the curtain on the league season.

It’s the final round of the Player of the Match promotion, generously sponsored by John Graham (Metals) Ltd.

With eight points up for grabs, the current points totals in the race for the three cash prizes are as follows:– Deacons 24, Moffat 18, Gilchrist 11, Archibald 10, Gilmour 9, Grant 8, MacFarlane 8, Bryce 7, Eadie 7.

It’s unlikely but a superhuman effort by skipper Alex Moffat could see him overtake Craig Deacons, rested tomorrow as he is getting married next week.

However, there will be a few guys eyeing up the third prize currently in the hands of Grant Gilchrist. The young titan is also being rested as he will be skippering the Scotland under-19s next weekend.

There will be a special cheer from the home crowd tomorrow for prop Wilba Davies as this will be the New Zealander’s last game before he returns Down Under.

The team for the 3pm kick-off is as follows:– McGowan: Brodie, Addison, Wilson, Aitken; Archibald, Calder; Hunter, Moffat, Davies, MacFarlane, Dan Mountford or Black, Clarke, Eadie and Hill. Replacements – Garry Mountford, Graham, McRorie, Bryce and Fleming.

It will be good to see Robbie McGowan back in action after his Scotland under-20 exploits while Jason Hill deserves a starting slot at No.8.

There’s Sunday rugby at Bridgehaugh this weekend with Scotland under-18s facing the Boys Clubs of Wales.

Entry is free and kick-off is 2pm. A team has yet to be announced but in the Scotland squad are County boys Robbie Boswell, Sean Kennedy, Danny Gilmour, Stuart Edwards and Glenn Bryce.

Also on Sunday is the Scottish under-15 cup final at Murrayfield between County and Ayr (kick-off 1.30pm).

County are hoping to win this national title for the second year in a row and under-15 coach, Eric Urquhart, said: “Many parents are more excited than the boys – I’m sure it will be a great spectacle.”