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SIX OF THE BEST FOR GRAMMAR AS THEY GET OFF TO A FLIER

O’Donovan delight as Rubislaw men take their chances and defend well

Kelso 20 Aberdeen Grammar Rugby 39

Grammar launched their new season with a repeat of last year’s six-try romp at Kelso to the delight of head coach Mike O’Donovan.

The New Zealander said: “We were well prepared for this game and much fitter than last year. We were also very clinical and took our chances, but most pleasingly our defence was outstanding. It’s a good start.”

The Aberdeen side was always in charge in this Premiership 2 match against a lacklustre Poynder Park side, shrugging off an early Kevin Utterson penalty to score a try through centre Ewan Campbell, who had a fine match and added another touchdown in a one-sided second half.

Ellon product full back Steven Aitken, playing in his first game, then kicked a penalty, but it was another Grammar debutant who caught the eye, Tony McGuiness having an outstanding game in which he grabbed tries either side of the interval.

Aitken then cashed in on fine Grammar handling to score a converted try.

“Tony was just tremendous,” said O’Donovan.

Kelso staged a rally, adding another Utterson penalty, before converting flanker Stuart Laing’s try just on the break to make it 18-13 for the Rubislaw side.

The second half belonged almost exclusively to Grammar as Kelso fell off the pace, missing tackles galore to make life easy for the visitors.

With Campbell and McGuiness notching their doubles the game was won, leaving stand off Billy Russell to complete the rout by capping a great performance with a try which Aitken converted to give him an individual haul of a try, three conversions and one penalty.

Andrew Laird scored a late consolation try which was converted by Utterson , but it was too little and far too late.

“It’s just the start of a long journey, but it’s a very satisfying result,” said O’Donovan.

Reproduced with permission from the Press & Journal.

CALLING ALL YOUTH SECTION COACHES/ASSISTANTS

Mike O'Donovan is holding coaching clinics on Sundays from noon to 1pm at Rubislaw at the end of the mini sessions.

These sessions are to impart new coaching skills and to assist in building a club ethos on the style of rugby our players will play.  All coaches are asked to attend and brush up on their skill set.

These sessions will be on Sunday 31 August, Sunday 7th September and 14th September. 

Please make every effort to stay back and partake of the coaching, the youngsters waiting for parents will no doubt enjoy their parents being put through their paces.

 

AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS - CANADA GAME PACKAGES

Please click here for sponsorship opportunities for this match.

 

2008-09 1st XV FIXTURES - SCOTTISH HYDRO ELECTRIC PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION 2

The league fixtures for the new season have been entered here.