Stew Mel vs Edinburgh Accies, 4/1/03

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Squad

The Stewart's Melville FP RFC team for Saturday's game with Edinburgh Academicals, 2 pm kick off at Inverleith, is:

After a couple of weeks' inactivity, the team is along the same lines as that chosen for the cancelled Haddington game, with only two enforced changes. Stephen Dalgleish comes into the 2nd row for his first start in the first team, replacing the holidaying Paul Keith. The only other change is at hooker, Malky MacColl being sidelined with a knock picked up in training last week. Alex Edmonstone has therefore stepped into the hooking berth, which is his favoured position and one that he is looking to make his own.

The team have trained hard over the festive period, and are looking forward to the rematch with Accies. We edged the first game at Raeburn Place 10-7, and this game will go a long way to deciding who will be left fighting for the 4th promotion spot. Accies have been on a bit of a roll of late and will no doubt fancy their chances of coming to Inverleith and repeating the win they got here at the same time last season.

On the injury front, the last couple of weeks have seen the walking wounded reduced to a more manageable amount. Fraser Deeming is due to return to training next week, with the hope of being fit by the end of January. Gavin Sharp returned to light training last night and is hopeful of being available in the next couple of weeks. Both Fraser and Gavin have had operations on their knees. Simon Attridge, our Kiwi hooker, returns to action in the 2nd XV on Saturday, hoping that the 2nd half of the season is more productive in terms of games played than the first half was. Also returning to action this weekend are Kenny Milligan, Steven Reed, Murray Thomson, Dougie Naismith and Scott McEwan.

Left on the injured list are Euan Clark, whose ankle injury will keep him out a couple more weeks, and Nicky Wood, who managed a full 5 minutes on his return from Watsonians before doing his ankle ligaments. Woody had a light jog last night, but still looks a couple of weeks from returning to action.

All that is left for me to do is wish you all a very happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you at Inverleith on Saturday to help cheer us to victory over our close neighbours.

Riggers

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