| CUP FINALISTS COME TO MURRAYFIELD |
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| Friday, 08 May 2009 | |||||||||
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Scottish Rugby hosted the coach and captains of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup, Shield, Bowl and Plate today as they made final preparations for the climax of the 2008/2009 season. Scottish Hydro Electric Cup Finals Day, 10 May, Murrayfield Stadium Currently placed third and fourth in Premier Division One, Heriot’s and Melrose will go head-to-head for the second season running (kick-off 4pm). Last year Melrose accelerated into a 28-0 lead and, while Heriot’s staged a dramatic 24-point fight-back, the gap was too much for the Edinburgh side to reclaim and the cup headed for the Greenyards. Melrose captain, Scott Wight, said: “It’s the achievement of the season to run out of the Murrayfield tunnel in front of a big crowd. The whole town’s buzzing, we’re getting a few buses filled so hopefully Sunday will be a good day. “Training has gone well all week, it’s been sharp. Since the league finished we channeled all our efforts into coming to Murrayfield and defending the Cup that we won last year. “It’d be a great achievement to win it twice in a row which has only been done once before.” Heriot’s scrum-half, Graham Wilson, added: “The excitement’s building and there will definitely be a few nerves but all the boys are really looking forward to it. We’ve had a good couple of weeks since the semi-final – the boys just can’t wait to be out there.” Glasgow Hawks will face Peebles in the Shield final (kick-off 2pm) after they saw off Jed Forest in a tricky 30-20 encounter at Old Anniesland. Their Tweedside opponents made the final following a journey across the borders to Dumfries where they won 17-7 at Park Farm. Glasgow Hawks’ - Scotland under-20 scrum-half - Peter Jericevich, said: “Obviously we were really happy to stay up in Premiership 1 this season so hopefully we’ll finish off with some silverware. “Peebles will be tough opposition but hopefully we can turn them over and get the win. We’ve got a lot of young, fit players, and a lot of fast boys out wide so if we can get the ball to the likes of Jono Wright and Craig Gossman hopefully we can score some tries.” Peebles’ captain and prop, Willie Aitken, added: We’re all really looking forward to Sunday. We’re all set and have had the best preparation to a game we’ve had all season so I’m sure it’ll be enjoyable. “I keep telling myself it’ll be just another game but it’ll definitely be different coming out here in front of a big crowd – we’re well up for it. “We’re strong in the pack and have got some great kickers and runners who’ll hopefully knock some holes in them.” Edinburgh University made the Plate final (kick-off 12.15pm) with a league and cup double over city rivals Murrayfield Wanderers at Inverleith Park and face Aberdeenshire in the final after they saw off a visiting Ross High at the Woodside Sports Complex. Edinburgh University captain and number 8, Jamie Clegg, said: “It’s going to be a massive occasion for us. It’s the first time in the club’s history to play at Murrayfield Stadium. “Hopefully we’ll bring a bit of support along, play some exciting rugby and get the crowd on their feet.” Aberdeenshire captain and flanker, Craig Livingston, added: “I’m a bit in awe to be honest, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I’m going to be leading Aberdeenshire out, I’ve been at the club for 10 years and it’s a great honour. “It’s a massive occasion for the club. We’ve never come near to reaching Murrayfield before so we’ll be taking a lot supporters down with us. We’re a real community club and are looking forward to it. “Obviously these guys [Edinburgh University] are going to be favourites. They’re three divisions higher than us, that’s the facts, but we have good young players. We’re not just a bunch of old guys who’ll stick it up the jumper and try and bully the students up front. “We know how we want to play, we’ve got a game plan and are confident we can cause an upset.” The Plate final will see the return of current holders Aberdeen University who made the long trip south to Volunteer Park to come away with a fine 24-19 win over Hawick Linden. They will face Duns to who eased past Dunbar 66-3 at their home ground Hardens Field (kick-off 10.30am). Dom Dunnet, Aberdeen University captain and back-row forward, said: ”It’s always a tremendous occasion coming to Murrayfield, particulalry for a student team run entirely by students. “We’ve always had issues with boys having other commitments at the weekends and so on but it’s great to be back here and we’ll obviously be looking to lift the Plate once more. “We’ve got a young, quick, fast team. We’ll be looking to use the ball, use our width and get some quick ball going. That seems to be our strength and the way we play rugby. We like to play exciting rugby, we like to move the ball around and we’ll be looking to do that on Sunday.” Jamie Renton, Duns' captain, said: "I was here ten years ago as a substitute when we won the bowl final and to come back as captain is an outstanding feeling for me. “We’ve got a good young set of backs who know how to throw a ball about. They’re very quick. We’ve got a couple of good wingers who can do the business and our centres are outstanding tacklers and aggressive runners.”
Match day information: |
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