Getting ready for ‘Super Saturday’

Feb 20 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

MARKING a unique occasion in the history of Perthshire Rugby Club, tomorrow has been dubbed “Super Saturday” by the North Inch outfit’s development manager Andy Cummings.

The Under-15s and Colts will be contesting home semi-final fixtures against Howe of Fife and Lasswade in the National Bowl, while the first team take on Premier 1 superstars Selkirk in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

The Colts will kick off at 12.30pm and the Under-15s at 1.30pm.

And the club’s development team have organised a full afternoon’s entertainment.

Two hundred mini rugby balls will be presented to the first 200 mini players who come down to watch the action.

Edinburgh’s mascot, Scotty the Dog, will be taking in all the matches, together with some of the leading Scottish professional players.

There will be a barbecue tent, grandstand, Perth Pipe Band, match commentator and a mini-rugby match during the half-time interval in the cup game.

Organisers expect it to be a gala occasion for the club and have said that all players taking part would greatly appreciate as many supporters getting behind the teams as possible.

No matter what age a player is, playing at Murrayfield is considered to be a tremendous thrill and all three teams will be doing their best to achieve that dream.

The first XV have the most difficult task on their hands.

They face a team in rampant form who, despite the weather conditions, triumphed over Berwick away from home in the Border League last week.

Shire vice-president Bob Lindsay said: “This is by no means a David and Goliath contest as we are only a couple of divisions below them and have players who have played in Premier 1 before.

“If we had played with any consistency whatsoever this season we would be knocking on the door of Premier 2 now, instead of languishing mid-table.

“If the coaches and the crowd can whip the boys up to the level they are capable of then we will give Selkirk a big fright,” he said.

Shire captain Ali Anderson, prop Neil Drummond and winger Keir Doe will all be missing, but Stevie Knox and Craig Wallace will return to beef-up the forwards.

Vice-skipper Matt Smith, who has experienced top flight rugby with Heriots and now represents the Great Britain Fire Brigade, added: “We always raise our game when it matters and with wins against Prem 2 border clubs Gala and Peebles last season we will be going for the treble,” he said.

The first team match is being sponsored by Tan International and kicks-off at 3pm.