Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Promotion favourites come to Fort Matilda

Friday, 9th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 7th December, 2007 12:30

Promotion favourites come to Fort Matilda

By Chris Fitzgerald

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Missing from action: Wanderers centre Brendan McGroarty has been a substantial loss to the side this season.

Greenock Wanderers host Garnock in another vital First Division clash tomorrow.

Garnock are sitting second and, along with Falkirk, look certain to be promoted into the Premiership next season.

In the earlier match between the sides, at Lochshore in September, Wanderers were soundly beaten 55-12 and will well remember Garnock’s outstanding second half performance which secured the victory.

Garnock have an excellent mix of youth and experience just now and still have old warhorses Andy King and Ally Brocket plying their trade in a very efficient forward pack.

Kurt Jacobson is also still making a significant contribution in the backline and there are few better kickers in the National Leagues, either from hand or from the tee.

Despite not playing last Saturday, Wanderers suffered another blow to their hopes of escaping relegation as the two sides immediately above them, Edinburgh University and Cambuslang, both won and edged further away from the locals.

The bell has not quite tolled yet, but time is fast running out if there is to be a miraculous recovery.

Much has been said and written already about Wanderers’ challenge this season. All clubs eventually go through a transitional period and to say the Wanderers side is practically unrecognisable, from that which enjoyed success only a few years ago, is an understatement.

An excessive injury list has also hindered the selection process this season, but the truth is, the current crop of 1st XV regulars are young and inexperienced having stepped into the senior side straight from age grade rugby.

President Donnie Cunningham said: “It’s a needs must type of situation and the selectors are picking the strongest XV they can for every game.

“The players and coaches aren’t hiding behind excuses and the players will look forward to testing themselves against one of the top teams in the division tomorrow.

“I’d like them to just go out and enjoy the game and do all they can to win their own personal battles with their opposite man. If you get the better of these small contests then you tend to find you are not too far away from a result after 80 minutes.”

What cannot be doubted is the fighting spirit and togetherness of this young squad. Despite being defeated on a weekly basis their resilience to dust themselves down and come back for more is remarkable.

There have indeed been some excellent individual performances this season, particularly from Callum Robb, Jamie Mooney and Liam Scully in the forwards.

Current skipper Chris Clark is another player who has shouldered the burden of captaincy well after the horrendous injury that finished Dave Craven’s career. Clark is a strong-running, hard-tackling centre, who gives his all in every game.

With his influence on the park, effort and commitment is never in short supply.

Scrum-half Andy McDougall has also matured greatly this season and, although the pain of defeat is hurting these lads, the experiences they are gaining just now will stand them in good stead as their senior rugby careers develop.

Greenock Wanderers v Garnock, kick-off 2pm at Fort Matilda: S McTavish, K Murray, A Knox, C Clark (C), J Smith, D Murray, J Stewart, D Watson, A Devlin, A McDougall, M Coyle, R Lavelle, M Rodger, M McDonald, L Scully, C Robb, J McKenna, G Finnie, J Cunningham, J Campbell, S Bleasdale.

l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.

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