Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Wanderers host Annan with points the target

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Friday, 14th September, 2007 16:30

Wanderers host Annan with points the target

By Chris Fitzgerald

Greenock Wanderers host their first competitive match of the season at Fort Matilda tomorrow, welcoming old rivals Annan to Inverclyde.

Annan were recently promoted from the Second Division and have started this season’s campaign with a win and a loss to Edinburgh University and Preston Lodge respectively. Tomorrow sees them make the long journey from the borders to the west coast in search of more league points.

Niall Smith is currently their star man and he usually plies his trade at stand-off or full-back, proving very efficient from the kicking tee. The word is they have a young, strong-running back-row, but last Saturday’s loss at Preston Lodge, by 31-6, indicates they may well not be one of the league’s top teams this season. Wanderers will be desperate to put on a good showing in front of a home support and get some league points on the board after two opening defeats.

President Donnie Cunningham said: “Despite the result, last Saturday’s performance at East Kilbride was a definite improvement and we will be looking to build on that tomorrow. The attitude and commitment was good and I have been very impressed with captain Dave Craven’s qualities. He’s a natural leader and has brought a lot of experience and enthusiasm to the role.”

With the locals’ injury list clearing, thanks to the good work of new physiotherapy team Jennifer Duncan and Lynsey McMillan, Wanderers should have a strong squad to choose from for tomorrow’s game. Flanker Graham Mooney is the only real doubt and, if he fails to make it, he will be missed after a fantastic start to the season.

Good performances were posted last week by Brendan McGroarty, Jason Smith, Calum Robb and the Mooney brothers. Kevin Murray also had an assured game at stand-off and it will be interesting to see if the selectors continue with Murray at fly-half or reintroduce Ant Devlin, who is now fit and available again.

Head coach Dave McVey said: “Home advantage will be a nice change this week, but the boys have got to go out and seize the initiative from the start. Home or away, there are no easy games and the players have got to get that winning mentality into their mindset from the off. Development is important, but in league rugby what really matters is the scoreboard after 80 minutes.”

Elsewhere, Wanderers’ 2nd XV also play host to Annan. This match is scheduled for a 3pm kick-off at the Battery Park, although depending on availability it may be switched to Fort Matilda.

Greenock Wanderers v Annan at Fort Matilda, kick-off 3pm: J Stewart, K Murray, A Devlin, D Murray, N Wright, B McGroarty, C Clark, A McDougall, J Smith, A Knox, D Craven (C), S Chundoo, M Coyle, M Rodger, R Lavelle, J Mooney, S Bleasdale, G Mooney, G Finnie, A Abernethy, M Duncan, C Robb. All players selected for 1st and 2nd XV report at 1.15pm to the Royal West Boat Club for a team photograph.

l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd. Match sponsor: James Kane and Sons.

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