The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Optimism abounds with stage set for new season
Dundee HSFP look to pick up where they left off
The end of 2015-16 came a little too soon for Dundee HSFP, but the aim is to relaunch the momentum of last season’s strong finish as the BT National League gets under way this weekend.
High have to be one of the favourites for promotion after last year’s campaign, where points difference stopped them reaching the promotion play-off.
Marr, who lost that sudden-death game, relegated Selkirk, and ambitious Edinburgh Accies would seem to be their main rivals in what should be a very competitive National League One.
That quartet warmed up reasonably well in last week’s first run-out in the BT Cup, each of them notching up a halfcentury of points. Dundee totted up 70 at Union Park in Corstorphine, putting RHC to the sword with a team some way short of what head coach Colin Sangster would see as his first-choice XV.
Rangy full-back Blair Cochrane crossed four times, and impressive open-side Dayle Turner had a hat-trick.
New first XV captain Andy Dymock and other key men are likely to return for this week’s league opener, not least because it is at Hamilton, a club the scrum-half turned out for on occasion.
That came about from the link with Dave Sutherland, who came up with Hamilton but was a popular figure at Mayfield when studying in the city.
The Bulls had a heavy loss at Raeburn Place to Accies in the cup last week but have a strong home record in recent seasons and were hugely impressive coming up from National Two last season, losing only twice in the campaign.
Both those losses were to the other promoted team, Falkirk, who renew their rivalry with Howe of Fife at the pristine new Duffus Park.
The clubs battled for promotion from National League Two for several seasons before Howe came up two seasons ago, and Falkirk followed them last year.
Howe’s main stand has undergone a dramatic transformation to perhaps have the best facilities in the league. The team has had plenty changes as well, with key players like Chris Mason and Fraser Clark moving on in the summer.
Last season fell away as injuries took their toll and, in the end, Howe barely held on to their place in National Two.
Last week’s heavy loss at Selkirk perhaps said more about the Borderers than the Fifers, and there should still be optimism, especially in the early going.
Kirkcaldy may have lost Sasa Tofilau to Edinburgh Rugby but the Samoan was still on water duty last week as the Blues opened their competitive season with a 48-21 win over Haddington.
Coach Quinny Sanft still hasn’t hung up his boots, and the front row has a familiar look with Mark Henderson and George Mangalo a formidable and experienced propping duo. The pack should be the Blues’ strength, but it’ll be a tough division. GHK coming up from National Three, West of Scotland, Cartha and Aberdeenshire – Kirkcaldy’s host in the league opener – all look strong.
Perthshire ended GHK’s run of 18 successive league wins last year, a memorable finish to an inconsistent season.
Shire went down in their cup match against Whitecraigs last week but will be aiming at the top half of the table in what looks like a tough division.
Caledonia One opened last week, with Glenrothes’ comfortable win over Carnoustie underlining their hopes of promotion after coming close last year.
Alloa and Harris both took the step up from Division Two Midlands and face each other at Elliot Road.
Division Two Midlands this year sees Hillfoots return after a difficult season in Caley One. They started impressively with an away win at Kinross.
Panmure’s handsome win over Kirkcaldy IIs bodes well for the Forthill club, who have struggled for manpower and results in recent seasons but look to be on the way up again.