Wanderers favourites

Published 15 Jan 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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Greenock Wanderers welcome Hawick YM to Fort Matilda tomorrow as the Scottish Hydro-Electric National League Second Division resumes after the Christmas break.

Neither club have had any competitive action in over a month and both sides will be desperate to get 2010 off to a winning start.

The 'Redskins', as they are known in the Borders, will travel to the west coast hoping to repeat last season's 9-6 victory, but Wanderers go into tomorrow's game as favourites, having already dispatched the visitors earlier in the season at Mansfield Haugh by 21-12.

The Borderers are currently occupying eighth spot in the league, having won five of their 13 matches to date. All of those victories have come at their Mansfield Haugh base which clearly indicates that they do not travel well.

Wanderers enter the game brimming with confidence and will look to carry their excellent form into 2010. Another victory tomorrow will edge the club ever more closer to promotion and a probable championship win. The players were disappointed that last weekend's match was cancelled due to the weather but will enjoy opening their account in the New Year at Fort Matilda in front of the usual loyal and vocal home support.

President Dougie Sloan said: "As always, we will treat our opponents with respect and we always expect a tough game from any Borders side.

"YM will be no different and none of the players needs reminding that they beat us here last season. The players have been ticking over with some squad sessions but it's time now to get back down to business.

"It's great to open the New Year at the Fort and I hope as many spectators as possible will come along and support the boys."

On paper this should be a comfortable win for the locals and, realistically, a bonus point victory should be achieved to further consolidate their position as champions elect.

Coaches Bob Adams and Dave McVey have taken the opportunity to take stock and, with seven games left in the campaign, see tomorrow's match as the perfect launch pad for Wanderers' first title triumph since 2002.

Adams said: "It is good to get the first league game at home after the Christmas break and our support should give us the added edge. We expect a tough, physical game from YM and we will have to match their aggression, particularly in the tight exchanges around the contact zone. We will focus on playing to our strengths and keeping it simple."

Wanderers will select from their usual squad and the Christmas hiatus has given injury victim Ant Devlin the opportunity to recover from rib cartilage damage. He is included in tomorrow's pool of players.

Devlin has been in a rich vein of form this season and his partnership with Andy McDougall at half-back has been a significant factor in the club's success story to date.

The forwards, of course, must first of all do their job before the half-backs get to orchestrate events, and the front five will be eager to stamp their authority on proceedings straight from the start.

Pack leader Matt Gray has been immense this season and he has been ably backed up by second row partner Matt Duncan and props Jim McArthur and Dougie Smith. The Lavelle brothers, Robert and Martin, have also made a telling contribution and the positive aspect for the selectors is that there is now genuine competition for places in the pack which helps to keep all the players on their toes.

There is definitely a buzz about Fort Matilda just now as the league campaign heads towards its climax. Wanderers look a safe bet tomorrow but, as always, the players will need to show the commitment and attitude that has served them so well this season.

There is no indication that anyone at the club is taking success for granted and the likelihood is that another professional job tomorrow will be enough to secure the points and get the locals off to a winning start in 2010.

Wanderers v Hawick YM at Fort Matilda, kick-Off 2pm. Squad: D Smith, A McMichael, J McArthur, M Duncan, M Gray, A Abernethy, C Clark, C Robb, A McDougall, D Watson (captain), J Smith, D Murray, K Smith, L Tyley, S Connolly, M Lavelle, J Stewart, A Devlin.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 15 Jan 10

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