Wanderers get set for kick-off

Published 27 Aug 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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HEAD BOY: New captain Matt Gray will lead by example.

Greenock Wanderers open their competitive season by hosting old adversaries Edinburgh University at Fort Matilda tomorrow in the first division of the Scottish Hydro Electric National League.

For the locals, the big kick-off can’t come quickly enough as they have enjoyed a fine pre-season and have scored tries for fun during the warm-up matches.

The portents are good as Wanderers look every bit as capable as they did last season and could exceed the expectations most newly-promoted sides have of mere consolidation in the higher division.

Edinburgh University are well-kent faces at Fort Matilda and the clubs are two of the oldest in Scotland, having first met on 14 October 1882 when Wanderers came out winners by two goals and one try to two tries.

The students more recently were also the side that opened the new Wanderers clubhouse in January 2008 when they inflicted a 19-7 defeat on the locals.

Plenty has changed since those days and the students struggled to maintain their 1st Division status last season and finished third bottom of the table, having won just six of their 22 league matches and escaped relegation by only six points.

But Wanderers would be foolhardy to put too much emphasis on those results as university sides change annually and very often gifted players emerge during the early part of the season.

President Dougie Sloan said: “Every match in the first division will be a challenge and we are determined to get off to a good start tomorrow. I would encourage people to get along to the Fort to add to the atmosphere.”

Wanderers will be captained by Matt Gray for the first time in a competitive match and the larger-than-life second-row forward will bring passion and commitment to the role and will lead by example.

Gray has all the qualities necessary to be an excellent skipper and the players are already responding to his leadership and ability.

The gameplan tomorrow will see the locals strive to control the set-piece and break-down.

If they can impose their will on the match in these vital areas, then a steady supply of ball will be made available to the exciting new half-back pairing of Andy McDougall and veteran Kenny Diffenthal.

Elsewhere, the selection shows a healthy mix of youth and experience and, up front, Dougie Smith, Ali Abernethy, John Stewart and Matt Duncan will provide the ballast.

With a fast young back line at their disposal, Wanderers should be able to use the vast open spaces of the wide Fort Matilda pitch to their best advantage.

Coach Bob Adams said: “The nucleus of last season’s side is still here and the challenge is to improve on last year’s performance.

“The players are a year wiser and more experienced and I am excited about the potential we have.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Kieren Smith, Leigh Tyley and Gregor Fletcher with ball in hand having a go at opposition defences.

“Dave McVey and I believe we are potentially a better side than last term and we are determined to prove that to our support.”

As the new season dawns, the Fort Matilda touchline tomorrow will be the place to be tomorrow. It’s time to fasten the seat belt for another season, and if it’s anything like last year it should be quite a ride.

Kick-off at Fort Matilda is at 2.30pm.

Squad: D Watson, G Fletcher, L Tyley, K Smith, B Wright, K Diffenthal, A McDougall, D Smith, S Alexander, M Lavelle, M Gray (capt), A Abernethy, J Stewart, C Robb, M Duncan, K Murray.

Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 27 Aug 10

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