SCOTLAND U18 TRAINING SQUAD

Scotland U18 Head Coach Grant McKelvey has included 3 new additions into the Squad of 36 players that will attend the next Scotland U18 squad session on Sunday 8th November at Murrayfield.

Lock Andrew Redmayne from Kilmarnock and flanker Rory Sutherland (Hawick Wands) join wing Andrew Hall (Strathallan School) have been included after impressing in club and regional squad sessions.

Adam de Ste Croix (Boroughmuir) misses this session due to a hand injury with Stuart Hogg (Heriots), and Aiden McCall-Hagen (West of Scotland) still also on the injured list.

After the session on Sunday another selection will be made for the annual National U18 Training Camp which takes place on the 29th & 30th December. Selectors will again be viewing club and school fixtures along with regional sessions in the meantime including a trip down to Leeds to watch the Exiles U18 squad going through their paces in early December.

SCOTLAND U18 TRAINING SQUAD NOVEMBER SESSION 2009
FORWARDS

Props

Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers) **
Gavin Robertson (Earlston HS/Melrose Wasps)
Alex Allen (Sedburgh School)
Struan Cessford (Dundee HS)
Craig Davidson (Ayr)
Jo Wasinski (Hampton School)

Hookers

George Turner (Stewarts Melville College)
Jack McFarlane (Gourok HS / Glasgow Hawks)
Ryan Hood (Strathallan)
Fergus Scott (Currie)

2nd Rows

Fraser Wem (Hampton School / Wasps)
George Barnes (Chesterfield RFC)
Andrew Redmayne (Kilmarnock)Craig Ferguson (East Kilbride)

Back Row

Jamie Swanson (Glasgow Academy)*
Lawrie Seydak (Edinburgh Academy)
Malcolm Peacock (George Watson’s College)
Rory Sutherland (Hawick Wanderers)
Mitch Eadie (Filton College)
Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle)

BACKS

Scrum ½’s

Murray McConnell (Lenzie Ac/West of Scotland)*
Johnny Adams (Aberdeen Grammar)

Stand Offs

Fraser Gillies (Edinburgh Academy)
Finn Russell (Stirling County)

Centres

Mark Bennett (Cumnock RFC) *Jack Bradford (Worksop College)
Michael Crawley (Stewarts Melville College)
Jack Ferguson (George Watson’s College)
Sam Knudson (Aberdeen Grammar)
Scott Shankie (East Kilbride)
Jamie Urquart (Dollar)

Back 3

Murray Beckwith (Marr College)*
Harris Jones (Merchiston Castle School)*
Ross Inglis (Calderside Acad / Hamilton)
Doug Day (Paviours RFC)
Andrew Hall (Strathallan


Not considered due to Injury

Stuart Hogg (Heriots) **
Aiden McCall-Hagen (West of Scotland)
Ben Johnstone (Stew Mel College)
Adam de Ste croix (Boroughmuir)
Tom Stevens (BATS)

* Member of National Academy supported by AIS (Area Institute of Sport)
** Member of National Academy supported by Scottish Rugby

Six Nations 2010 Tickets - Deadline 27th November

The prices for the 2010 6 Nations Tickets are shown below. Anyone wishing to apply for tickets should read the information below especially the bolded part

Scotland vs France 7th February k/o 3pm
Tickets are £70/50/30 for adults and £35/25/15 for Concessions

Wales vs Scotland Saturday 13th February k/o 2pm
Tickets are £65/60/45 for adults.

Italy vs Scotland Saturday 27th February k/o 1.30pm (GMT)
Tickets are £87/53/31 for adults

Scotland vs England Sunday 7th March k/o 3pm
Tickets are £70/50/30 for adults and £35/25/15 for concessions

Ireland vs Scotland Saturday 20th March k/o 5pm
Tickets are £70 for adults.

ALL TICKETS ARE TO PAID FOR WHEN APPLYING FOR THEM
A full allocation sheet is available from the bar. The Deadline is 27th November for applications

Cumnock Chatboard Link

Cumnock RFC mini fixtures as of 25/08/09

Date Home Away
06/09/09 Cumnock Kilmarnock
13/09/09 Marr Cumnock
20/09/09 Training
27/09/09 To be confirmed
04/10/09 Cumnock Strathaven
11/10/09 Training
18/10/09 Training
25/10/09 Kilmarnock Cumnock
01/11/09 Cumnock Ayr
08/11/09 To be confirmed
15/11/09 Uddingston Cumnock
22/11/09 Ardrossan Cumnock
29/11/09 Cumnock Hamilton
06/12/09
13/12/09 Cumnock Ardrossan

Indoor Training from 10/01/10 to 21/02/10, no games
28/02/10 Kilmarnock
07/03/10 Cumnock Marr
14/03/10 Cumnock Uddingston
21/03/10 Strathaven Cumnock
28/03/10 Hamilton Cumnock
04/04/10 Training
11/04/10 Training
18/04/10 To be confirmed
25/04/10 Cumnock tournament
02/05/10 Tournament to be confirmed
08/05/10 Strathaven tournament (Saturday)
16/05/10 Whitecraigs Tournament

Loch Lomond 26 – 23 Cumnock

Cumnock narrowly missed out against Loch Lomond despite spending much of the game on the back foot. The team made the trip to Bonhill on a high after last weeks comprehensive defeat of Paisley and hoped to build on this against a Lomond side that had had a similar start to the season as Cumnock.

However it was evident from the kick off that Loch Lomond were equally determined and showed their strength straight from the kick off by winning a penalty which was converted to give them an early three point lead.

Lomond continued to pressure Cumnock and were narrowly prevented from adding a try thanks to a last gasp tackle from Tony Foster. However, against the run of play it was Cumnock who grabbed the first try of the game when a hopeful Cumnock kick ahead was dropped by the Lomond full back and a grateful Mark Bennett picked up the loose ball to score under the posts. Kyle Johnson added the conversion and Cumnock unexpectedly had a lead in the game.

It was not to last though when Lomond’s outside centre burst through some flimsy Cumnock tackles to score giving them the lead again. Loch Lomond continued to dominate possession as their experienced forwards used every opportunity to slow ball down preventing Cumnock from playing their preferred style of free flowing rugby. Despite this some desperate defence meant that Lomond only managed to add a penalty to their tally which was cancelled out by a brace from Johnson meaning that at half time the scores were level at thirteen apiece.

The second half began much as the first had gone with Lomond dominating possession although it is credit to the young Cumnock side that the defence, despite several wobbly moments, held firm with several good tackles from wide men Martin Wilson and Gregor McMillan keeping Lomond out. Also impressive was Matt McCullough making his debut for the 1st XV and putting in hard shift, putting his body on the line to tidy up loose ball. Lomond added another penalty before the unflappable Johnson pegged back the advantage with another penalty of his own.

Cumnock almost picked up another try of their own when Johnson spotted Alan Haynes in space on his wing and cross-kicked to him. The ball evaded Haynes by inches, denying Cumnock from scoring a spectacular try.

On the whole though Lomond continued to exert pressure on Cumnock and spent a long spell camped on the Nock try line. They eventually broke through for the try when, after several attempts, they managed to push a maul over. They added the conversion and then a penalty to pull themselves ten points clear with only five minutes remaining. However, Cumnock’s fighting spirit showed itself again when Bennett scored his second after chipping the ball ahead and then stripping the ball off the full back. Johnson added the extras but time was against Cumnock and they were unable to make any more inroads into Lomond’s lead.

Overall this was a disappointing game for Cumnock as they allowed themselves to be bullied by the larger and more experienced Lomond side. However, they could take some solace from a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the winners. It was encouraging to see that Cumnock have become a hard team to beat because, by rights, with the possession that they had Lomond could have won this game a lot more comfortably than they did.

Man of the match was Kyle Johnson for an impressive display of defence against considerably larger opposition as well as for his imperious kicking which kept Cumnock in the hunt.

Team: Craig Greer, Paul Miller, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Euan Cunningham, Alan Smith, David Kerr, Jamie Thomson, Scott Houston, Kyle Johnson, Gregor McMillan, Mark Bennett, Martin Wilson, Tony Foster, Conner Nisbet, Graham Hunter, Matt McCullough, Alan Haynes


Next Saturday the 1st XV return to Broomfield to take on Cumbernauld

Thanks to David Kerr for Report

West Division 1 Scottish rugby website results and table

Cumnock chatboard link

1sts v Paisley and 2nds v GHA Gazelles

On Saturday 12th September Cumnock 1sts are at home to Paisley while the 2nds are away to GHA Gazelles at Braidholm. Let the coaching team know if you are available for selection.

Jim

Glasgow Under 17 Squad

Glasgow Under 17 Training Squad
Tuesday, 08 September 2009

Glasgow U17 Training Squad –

Sessions Monday 21st & 28th September

Both sessions start at 7pm (players to arrive between 6.15 and 6.30pm)

at Hughenden.

Cumnock RFC names:-

Name
Alan Haynes
Scott Houston
Graham Hunter
Gavin Kerr

Cumnock chatboard link

Scottish rugby weblink

SCOTTISH NATIONAL ACADEMY UPDATE

Scottish rugby weblink

SCOTLAND UNDER-18 TRAINING SQUAD NAMED
Monday, 07 September 2009

Scotland under-18 head coach, Grant McKelvey, today announced an initial training squad of 34 players ahead of the 2009 / 2010 season.

The training squad was selected after a performance review of the players who spent a fortnight in Valladolid, Spain, on a strength, conditioning and rugby camp in July, and those invited to attend the national rugby camp at Struan, Perthshire in August.

McKelvey, said: “After working with the players in Valladolid and Struan these sessions present an excellent opportunity for us to compare and contrast the players while measuring the development of those who have been in the under-17 programme.

“For the majority this won’t present a new beginning in a new side. The sessions continue on from the work done in the under-17 sessions and the two camps – it’s a continuous development process rather than starting afresh.

“There are, of course, many other opportunities for players to gain selection into this squad. The Performance Development team will be watching a lot of rugby in Scotland as well as travelling to and gaining recommendations from our counterparts in the Exiles Performance Programme in England.”

Players will be continually assessed throughout the season before the final selection of the national under-18 Squad for the 6 Nations International Festival due to take place in Wales in April 2010.

SCOTLAND U18 TRAINING SQUAD – SEPTEMBER SESSIONS 2009

- FORWARDS -

Props
Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers) **
Gavin Robertson (Earlston High School /Melrose Wasps)
Alex Allen (Sedbergh School)
Struan Cessford (Dundee High Rugby)
Jo Wasinski (Hampton School)
Craig Davidson (Ayr)

Hookers
Jack McFarlane (Gourock High School / Greenock Wanderers)
George Turner (Stewart’s Melville College)
Ryan Hood (Strathallan)
Fergus Scott (Currie)

Second-rows
Fraser Wem (Hampton School / London Wasps)
Craig Ferguson (East Kilbride)
George Barnes (Chesterfield)

Back-row
Mitch Eadie (Filton College)
Malcolm Peathingy (George Watson’s College)
Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle)
Jamie Swanson (Glasgow Academy)*
Adam de ste Criox (Firhill High School / Boroughmuir)
Lawrie Seydak (Edinburgh Academy)

- BACKS -

Scrum-halves
Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland RFC)*
Jonny Adams (Aberdeen Grammar)
James Munro (Edinburgh Academy)

Stand-offs
Fraser Gillies (Edinburgh Academy)
Finn Russell (Stirling County)

Centres
Jack Bradford (Worksop College)
Michael Crawley (Stewart’s Melville College)
Mark Bennett (Cumnock) *
Stewart Hogg (Heriot’s) **
Jack Ferguson (George Watson’s College)

Back three
Murray Beckwith (Marr College)*
Harris Jones (Merchiston Castle School)*
Aiden McCall-Haden (St Aloysius College)
Ross Inglis (Calderside Acadademy / Hamilton)
Ben Francis (Epsom College)

* Member of National Academy supported by AIS (Area Institute of Sport)
** Member of National Academy supported by Scottish Rugby

• The first two Scotland sessions will take place on Sunday 6 and Sunday 13 September.

Cumnock chatboard link

New update on 10th October after 06/09/09

Hi Everyone,

Only about 5 weeks to the sponsor day. Latest numbers are around 70. Latest names:

Bell + 2 pals

Doreen Findlay

Jim and Elspeth Mair

Spoke to Soupie yesterday and he is having a think about it as well.


Ists lost 12-8 away at Oban and were unlucky not to win (agreed I was there (tommy). Last year in the same fixture they lost heavily so there is a big improvement. Next week they play Paisley and should get a win at home against them.

2nds beat the Police 45 – 5. things are looking up on the playing side.

I have 20 people paid up so far and I really need to get payments in so that I can confirm the catering. Please send payments to me below or give them to Alex Dunsmuir or Tober.

We still have a few places left please pass the word.

See you all soon,

Morton

Cumnock chatboard link

Cumnock RFC Senior Reports for 15 August 2009

Cumnock 31 Carnoustie 18

Cumnock’s new youthful team improved on their win against Strathaven last week with a fresh win against a strong Carnoustie in the 2nd pre-season game.

A great ball off the top at the lineout from McMillan, quickly moved to Bennett running an excellent line to power through the defence offloading to foster who dragged the defence to create space for Bennett to scorch down the right wing and score in the corner. constant pressure from the Cumnock team turned into a second try, as the ball was spilled by Carnoustie Martin Wilson hacked the ball on which he out sprinted the defence to touch down.

The pressure just kept on coming for Cumnock when the forwards and backs combining together. The forwards set up a great platform from a lineout which was passed to the backs. The whole team combined for the forwards to collect the ball from the kick through and Kevin Brady collected the ball and scored the try.

After a great first half for Cumnock, Carnoustie showed its muscle and experience when Carnoustie scored some tries of their own, but Cumnock’s youthful team hadn’t finished scoring yet.

Craig Greer who showed some great forward thinking and moving went through several players from around 10 metres out and beat everyone to the try line to top off what had been a great game for him and the whole Cumnock team.

The newest member of the Scotland Under 18 Training Squad including Scotland National Academy, Mark Bennett topped off a great game by a trademark try of his own, after making another try from his own half after some great passing to let his loose from the backs.

Cumnock 43 Renfrew 5

The team performed really well in this the 1st time both Cumnock senior teams were out. Several players scored including John Ferrans, Andrew Watt, Jason Johnstone, Greg Hamilton.
It was a great performance and we wish to thank Renfrew for coming down.
Cumnock’s senior teams face their last pre-season games on Saturday against Marr and Hyndland.

Teams selected from:-
Ross Black
Tony Foster
Jason Johnstone
Dougie Elliot
Alan Haynes
Martin Wilson
Donald Hunter
Andy McCrorie
Craig Greer
Stuart Hunter
Kevin Brady
Graham Hunter
David Kerr
Jamie Thomson

Connor Nisbet
Mick Harkin
Mark Bennett
Kyle Johnson
Scott Houston
Craig McWhirter
Alan Smith
Graham Hunter
Rab Donald
Paul Miller
Kevin Brady

chatboard link

Scottish National Academy

Mission... To provide the best environment for young Scottish players to develop their skills, disciplines, knowledge and attitude to achieve their full rugby playing potential, thereby meeting their aspirations to become professional rugby players.

Selection
The National Academy selects players primarily from performances in age-group international, district, club and school matches focusing on players who have the potential to develop to become influential in the pro-game and beyond. Selections also reflect the positional needs of the Scottish professional teams.

Player Categories
Scottish Rugby’s National Academy consists of 2 categories of players. A definition of each category is provided below:

Area Institute Supported Academy Player
(27 Nationally in 2009-10)

Players playing in clubs and schools whose individual programmes are managed by Academy Coaches and supported by Area Institutes of Sport.

These players sign a SRU academy agreement outlining commitment from both parties - there is no remuneration for any of these players.


Contracted Academy Players
(28 Nationally in 2009-10)

Players playing in clubs, as appropriate, but training full-time under the supervision of National Academy staff. Player’s individual programmes are managed by Academy coaches and when appropriate Contracted Academy players will train/play with professional teams.

All Contracted Academy players sign either full-time or part time remunerated contracts with the SRU.
Adam Ash - Stirling County RFC
Ross Aitken - Howe of Fife RFC
Sam Atkin - Edinburgh Accies RFC
Steven Aitken - Aberdeen Grammar RFC
Mark Bennett - Cumnock RFC
Murray Beckwith - Marr College
Dougie Fife - Currie RFC
Danny Gilmour - Stirling County RFC
Kris Hamilton - Caithness RFC
Jason Hill - Heriots RFC
Rory Hughes - GHA RFC
Gregor Hunter - Gala RFC
Craig Jackson - Melrose RFC
Harris Jones - Merchiston School
Andrew Kirkland - Glasgow Hawks RFC
Michael Maltman - Heriots RFC
Robert McAlpine - West of Scotland RFC
Murray McConnell - West of Scotland RFC
Ryan McConnell - Peebles RFC
Dougie Orr - Haddington RFC
Craig Owensen - Heriots RFC
Colin Phillips - Stewarts Melville RFC
Michael Roy - Musselburgh RFC
Matthew Scott - Currie RFC
Alex Spence - Haddington RFC
Jamie Swanson - Glasgow Academy
Duncan Weir - Glasgow Hawks RFC
Grant Anderson - Ayr RFC
Alex Blair Edinburgh - Accies RFC
Chris Bloomfield - unattached
Fraser Brown - Watsonians RFC
Tom Brown - Edinburgh Accies RFC
Tom Bury - Boroughmuir RFC
Nick Campbell - Glasgow Hawks RFC
David Denton - Edinburgh Accies RFC
Struan Dewar - Heriots RFC
Michael Doneghan - Stewarts Melville RFC
Alex Dunbar - Selkirk RFC
Chris Fusaro - Heriots RFC
Grant Gilchrist - Stirling County RFC
Finlay Gillies - Heriots RFC
Robert Harley - West of Scotland RFC
Robin Hislop - Boroughmuir RFC
Stuart Hogg - Heriots RFC
Rory Hutton - Heriots RFC
Peter Jericevich - Glasgow Hawks RFC
James Johnstone - Currie RFC
Nicky Little - Hawick RFC
Ashleah McCulloch - Watsonians RFC
Stuart McInally - Watsonians RFC
Lewis Niven - Edinburgh Accies RFC
Neale Patrick - Boroughmuir RFC
Neil Rodger - Haddington RFC
Joe Stafford - Glasgow Hawks RFC
Steven Wilson - Edinburgh Accies RFC


Cheers to Stewart Bennett for news.

On other news Mark is the latest player to join the Scotland Under 18 Training Squad.

Well done Marko Bennetto (thank Rodger Stewart for nickname)

Chatboard Link

CRFC Walk from Stepping Stones to Failford Sunday 21 June 2009

The Cronie Ramblers Fae Cumnock (CRFC) alias the 5 o’clock club
decided that as the Club was struggling financially that they would get together with an idea to raise some funds to help the Club out.

Various ideas were banded about until it was agreed that the fund raising would take the form of a sponsored walk from the Stepping Stones at Holmston to the Failford Inn. This had formed from an initial group of Stuart Fleming, Donald McVicar, Hugh Laidlaw & his dogs, Sam Wilson and myself your correspondent - Rodger Stewart who walked from Catrine House to Failford and the idea of a sponsored walk cristalised.

Unfortunately some of the CRFC had other commitments such as a party in Austria, SQA marking, working at some local car dealership and having to walk their dog and see their grandchild with their sore knee but nevertheless they all still came up with their sponsorship required to help out. So good on you guys.

So 10 members undertook the 12 mile Walk and John Telfer had walking gear on rather than the hospital gardener’s outfit we expected. However as we gathered at the Club ready to head for the start a familiar occurrence took place – YES we were waiting for Sam Wilson - I phoned him to receive a very clear reply that he was at the front door of the Club and don’t dare leave without him.

Arriving at the start Tom Allardice who was already there was being chewed by the midges but Hughie came to the rescue with his ‘Avon Skin So Soft’ for the team, although the midges would never have got near Hughie for the alcohol he had consumed whilst away for a week’s ‘fishing’ – By the way - No-one has ever seen any fish – he said they were frozen and in the freezer – Aye that will be right! – I can get them the same way from the supermarket but he swears he was away ‘fishing’

Photo then taken of the Cumnock 10 and off we went, kitted out as if we were heading for the North Pole. I foolishly mentioned that I had seen some expensive ‘Garmin’ watches at Cotswald’s in Silverburn and Donald explained how they could tell you at what height you were at and where in the world you were and, and, and, and. And, ANd, AND, to receive a swift response from Hughie – for ‘F’ sake Donald we are walking next to a BURN.
So off we set and within the first 5 minutes it was obvious that the egos that exist at the weekly get together on a Friday at the Club were in full force and with a vengeance.

Now Tom Allardice was only walking at his own pace as he always does but did that not get up Donald McVicar’s nose because you see McVic has climbed nearly all of the Munros in Scotland and will not be beaten into second place by anyone (his words not mine). So he rejected his wee pal Rodger your CRFC correspondent within the space of the first 600 yards – a friend who had walked with him the week before through the whole Walk as a reccy.

So on we went to the first land mark of Oswald Bridge and everyone was in high spirits. Over the top of Auchincruive towards Tarholm Bridge and the first wee bit of an uphill ahead – I said to Sam that it wasn’t too bad but when he reached it I got a serious earful from him telling me about being a ‘Lying B’ – I’m glad he couldn’t reach me at that point.

However it was quite obvious that at this point in the walk both Tom’s and Hughie’s dogs had already covered the 12 miles – dogs rule ok unless you are wee Mick who was now beginning to cruise and Donald was eyeing up the competition. We now reach Tarholm Bridge and were about a couple of miles from Annbank – a seriously lovely stretch of the walk.

As we reach Annbank thank goodness Donald and I had managed to reccy the walk the week before as there was no chance of following the directions through the village but Donald got the lead group to stop at the agreed picnic tables. Ian McClue didn’t need any refreshments as he has a slick sooking apparatus in his rucksack (must be an Auchinleck thing – keeping it to yourself) - he didn’t offer anyone a ‘suck’ who at this point all needed a wee aperitif but mentioned how much you save by slugging it this way - we may have slavered into it causing swine flu to gather momentum.

We then phoned the food order to Failford who were concerned at how busy they could get as it was Father’s Day so asked if we could keep in touch with out arrival time.

After a wee break the group moved on and the disaster of all disasters nearly occurred as Donald tripped on a piece of wood and nearly fell over down the hill and into the river –everyone quickly reacted at the peril of their lives to take a serious hit but saved the world by stopping him causing the first River Ayr Tsunami.

Alex Dunsmuir our President and resident photographer then decided that it would be sensible to get the camera out in case of future events that could be used for ever during a 5 o’clock session. (Why did you miss that pic Alex?)

The pace increased now towards Gadgirth Bridge and on to Stair with the impressive Enterkine House up on our left. At this point a number of young women running from the Source at Glenbuck to the Sea met the group and would you believe it they all knew McVic and damn near bowed down to him – SCARY!’ He later told us one of the women was his secretary – OH Well!

We have now only 3 miles left and a considerable climb ahead but McVic obviously inspired by the women’s comments is hell bent in stepping up the pace and getting to Failford first for a pint.

Had he never heard of wee Mick??? Well on they went with the rest of the group enjoying the great weather that we were experiencing and the blether that was taking place but wee Mick clearly recognised an opportunity to redress the SPL League position where the Gers had prevailed and this had only been mentioned on a very few occasions because we couldn’t keep up with the wee B – he even said that his dog would have beaten us and it is only 12 inches high.

I then received a phone call from Donald bragging that he had managed to keep up with wee Mick and that he needed to know what the DRINKS order was as he was approaching the Failford Inn.

Sam and wee Rodger Little were not chuffed with McVic until I told them that the pub didn’t open until 12.30 and McVic would have to wait until we had arrived – they were seriously chuffed and I’ll not quote the words Sam used to express his delight but I know you will be able to effin’ guess correctly.

We all arrived at the Failford Inn to copious amounts of Windie Goat real ale and the Gutter Slab version that was available for us. Chris and Michelle Kelsall, the proprietors were there to welcome us and had our thoroughly enjoyable hearty meal ready. We blethered and sank our pints whilst Tom’s dog enjoyed the air conditioned car’s driving seat waiting for Tom to return.

Sam mentioned to us in a loud voice that he had just received his new walking gear on Friday as it was his 63rd birthday and he was the oldest in the company – eruption then takes place as wee Rodg Little explains he is 66. OOOPs!!!

Whilst enjoying this great company and great exercise in great spirit we managed to raise just under £2000 for Club funds – and what an enjoyable way to do it.

I would like to express my thanks to the 10 Walkers and all the sponsors, I think we have started something that looks as if it might continue (we have now completed 3 Walks as CRFC) and if any member of the Club wants to join the ‘CRFC’ please on the first instance get in touch with the President Alex Dunsmuir who will be happy to give you details of future Walks.

3rd Walk was around the Straiton Area last Sunday finishing with a pint and bar lunch at the Black Bull in Straiton. Next walk will be next Saturday 25th July at a venue still undecided. If anyone has details of good walks we would also be very happy to hear about them.

Best wishes to the YOUNG PLAYERS who it is believed are considering a fund raising event(s) to beat the £2000 raised by the AULD CRFC ‘B’s

Best of Luck!!!!!

Rodger Stewart
CRFC Correspondent

Chatboard link

Scotland Under 17 Squad set to train in Spain

Cumnock Chatboard thread

As part of their development to U18 age grade level, a squad of 30 Scotland U17 team members will set off for Valladolid
in north-central Spain tomorrow (2 July).

The players, management and support staff will spend an intensive fortnight at the camp where the focus is on technical,
tactical, mental and physical (strength and conditioning) training.

An 8am start each day for physio and gym work, an enforced rest in the middle of the day given the climate, then training again at 6pm,says Bryan Easson, Scotland U17 Head Coach.

Added to that there are unit sessions, group sessions and one-on-one goal setting sessions with the coaches an intensive programme, designed to teach the players how to be professional athletes and to give the coaches an all-round idea of the players.

The camp led by Scotland U18 Head Coach, Grant McKelvey, with strength and conditioning from Val Houston acts as the transformation period for the young players from the U17 to U18 development side, where they will move into the hands the U18 coaching team following a further assessment camp in September.

This is the third year that Scotland under-17 squad has benefited from the facilities at Valladolid. The 30-strong squad includes 12 players new to the group due to injury, unavailability and deselection since their successful participation at this year Millfield Festival. The camp is run through Cumbernauld College with funding from the European Community programme, the
Leonardo da Vinci Trust (the criteria of which prohibits team travel within a teams own country).
Catch up with the Valladolid training regime via a players blog on the Scotland U17 web site.

Scotland U17 Development Squad
Robin Hislop (Hawick Wanderers) Prop
Gavin Robertson (Earlston HS / Melrose) Prop
Alex Allan (Sedbergh School) Prop
Struan Cessford (High School of Dundee) Prop
Jack MacFarlane (Gourock HS / Greenock Wanderers) Hooker
Ryan Hood (Strathallan) Hooker
George Turner (Stewart’s Melville College) Hooker
Fraser Wem (Hampton School / Wasps) Second row
Craig Ferguson (East Kilbride) Second Row
Sean McDevitt (High School of Glasgow) Second Row
George Barnes (Chesterfield) Second Row
Mitchell Eadie (Filton College) Back Row
Malcolm Peathingy (George Watson's College) Back Row
Matthew Walker (Boroughmuir) Back Row
Andrew Nagle (Jed Thistle) Back Row
Adam de ste Croix (Boroughmuir) Back Row
Murray McConnell (Lenzie Academy / West of Scotland) Scrum Half
Johnny Adams (Aberdeen Grammar School) Scrum Half
James Munro (Edinburgh Academy) Scrum Half
Fraser Gillies (Edinburgh Academy) Stand Off
Jack Bradford (Worksop College) Centre
Michael Crawley (Stewart’s Melville College) Centre
Murray Beckwith (Marr College) Centre
Mark Bennett (Cumnock RFC) Centre
Jamie Urquhart (Dollar Academy) Centre
Stewart Hogg (Hawick Wanderers) Centre
Douglas Day (Paviours RFC) Centre
Harris Jones (Robert Gordon’s College) Back 3
Aidan McCall Hagan (St Aloysius’ College) Back 3
Ross Inglis (Calderside Academy / Hamilton) Back 3

Scotsman article from 1st July:-

Scotsman article link

Public school system provides bulk of Scots under-17 squad


View Gallery
Published Date: 02 July 2009
A 30-STRONG Scotland Under-17 squad will fly out today for a two-week training camp in Spain.
A glance in the brackets after the names of those selected reveals Scottish youth rugby remains reliant on the public school base, with more than half of the squad coming from that system, but only four players come from another traditional heartland – the Borders.

There are 16 players from private schools – 11 Scottish and five English. Of the rest, six come from state schools and eight from clubs. The regional breakdown is pretty even with Borders (4), Glasgow (8), Edinburgh (7), Caledonia (5) and England (6).

The players, management and support staff will spend an intensive fortnight at the camp in Valladolid, north-central Spain. The focus will be on technical, tactical, mental and physical strength and conditioning. The camp, led by Under-18 coach Grant McKelvey, acts as the transformation period for the youngsters from U17 to the U18 development side.

New Scotland Head Coach

Robinson new Scotland head coach

Former England coach Andy Robinson named as the new head coach of the National side.