Oban Lorne get back to league action

COMPETITIVE rugby returns to Glencruitten this Saturday as Oban Lorne take on familiar foes Garnock in the first BT West Division 1 fixture of the 2017/18 season.

The Green Machine are looking forward to their third consecutive campaign in Division 1 and are hoping to improve on last year’s lowly league position that threatened the side with relegation until the very last game of the season.

After losing a number of players over the close season, coach Corrie Louw will have a smaller group of players to choose from this year as seems to be the case with a number of clubs in the West Regional Leagues.

Craig Wright will again captain the side after becoming one of Oban Lorne’s youngest ever captains at the start of last season. The team is shaping up with a good balance of experience and youth with players such as Jack Strachan expected to have a big season ahead.

Fixtures between Oban and Garnock have been very close and physical affairs over the past few years with another close game expected on Saturday.

Kick-off is 3pm at Glencruitten.

Mini and Youth Rugby

Mini Rugby players from across Argyll will be taking part in the first Dalriada Mini Rugby Festival of the season at Glencruitten on Saturday from 11am.

Teams from Oban Lorne, Etive Vikings, Isle of Mull, Mid Argyll, Lochaber and Kintyre are expected to attend.

The same clubs will also turn out on Sunday as Oban Lorne host an S1/2 festival from 12noon.