Young star ready to select his side

May 29 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTHSHIRE’S new celebrity James Fleming has just enjoyed one of the most exciting rugby seasons of his life.

Not only was he chosen to play for the successful Scottish Universities’ team and crowned Premier 3's Player of the Year by the Scottish Rugby Union, but his playing success has resulted in him appearing live on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

James was interviewed by John Beattie and Peter Wright who were alerted to his playing prowess and wanted to know the secret of his success – and whether he would sign up for Hawks or West.

James, who is only 21, has played for Perthshire since he was six years old and is now attracting the attention of a host of Premier 1 and 2 clubs looking for his services.

He is a student at Stirling University and, thanks to a club sponsored car, he travels to Perth every week to train and play for the Eagles.

He evolved through the Shire youth system but failed to gain representative recognition for his play.

But puts that down partly to not having a settled position on the pitch.

When he played his first game for Perthshire's 1st XV three years ago, James played at full back and his mazy runs and thrilling last-gasp tackles made him a favourite of the Shire crowd and he quickly settled into the position.

He is Shire's top try scorer and has been the saviour of the Eagles on many occasions this season.

No one will forget his three tries against Premier 1 side Selkirk in the Scottish Cup.

Ironically, his opposite number on that day, Fraser Harkness, won the Premier 1 Payer of the Year award at the same dinner.

James said: “The Selkirk match and Shire's recent wins against Gala and Peebles, coupled with strong performances in seven-a-side competitions have made me realise that both myself as an individual and Perthshire as a club are more than capable of playing at a higher level.”

Despite both John Beattie and Peter Wright willing James to join their respective clubs, West of Scotland and Glasgow Hawks, James has still not made up his mind where he will play next season.

If, as the whole of Perthshire hope, he decides to stay with the Eagles, then he will be given the chance to develop even more as a player and an individual and will be in even more demand by all clubs the following season when he has added a few more dimensions to his game.

At 21, he has the world at his feet and there is no desperate rush to move at this precise time.

But if he does do so then he will have the full backing and support of the club who wish him even more success in the future whether with Shire or any other club.