Hillfoots Weekly News 13 January

By [email protected]

 

 
 

Last Week in Review

 

 
 

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a cracking New Year!  Our players and coaches kept focussed over the festive season and last week’s fantastic and convincing result against Blairgowrie demonstrated the benefit of their dedication!  The game was notable with the Slade brothers providing the full front row – while I have been told this is not a first for Scottish rugby (does anyone know who and for what team?) – its great to see!  You might be finding more out about this and the Club in a future edition of Scrum Magazine…

 

 
 

Special thanks must go to the local community whose addition to our usual band of stalwarts certainly added to the support our players felt on the Park.  If you know of anyone who would like to be kept in touch with what the Club is doing, please share, tweet or forward this email using the buttons below.

This week, the 1sts welcome local rivals Stirling County 3rd XV to Tilly Park and what promises to be another exciting game.  We are also delighted that the Rams will take on Bo’ness, so you will be able to enjoy not one but two matches this weekend from 2pm.  Hopefully we can maintain our winning ways for the rest of the season!

Paddy

 

 
 
 

1st XV v Blairgowrie

 

 
 

The first game of the New Year saw Hillfoots 1st XV host Blairgowrie RFC 1st XV in a fight for the top of the Caledonia Midlands Division 2 League table.  Neither team were able to play in December due to frozen pitches, so it was a much anticipated game for both teams with full squads and even match preparation over the Christmas period. Hillfoots received the kick off and game began with both teams earnestly testing and probing their opposition. It was the hosts who scored first with an unconverted try to be 5-0 up, followed by a Blairgowrie reply within 10 minutes which brought the game 5-5 in a keenly contested first quarter. Thereafter, Hillfoots started to dominate possession and scored another two well-worked tries before half time. 
 
The second half saw the ‘Foots score a couple more tries without a reply from the visitors.  While both teams defended hard, it was Hillfoots who were able to capitalise on Blairgowrie’s mistakes and worked some well executed moves. The hard-earned fitness of the hosts began to show in the second half as they were able to successively build on phase after phase. In return, the visitors tried to kick tactically to regain territory but they were unable to turn this territorial advantage into points due to the staunch Hillfoots defence. The final nail in the coffin for Blairgowrie was one of their players being red carded – but the game was very much in Hillfoots favour before this. The final score was 34-5 to Hillfoots.  In addition to the game being a top of the table clash, it had a special significance for the Slade family who singlehandedly provided the complete front row for Hillfoots!
 
Both the Hillfoots 1st XV and Rams XV are hosting teams next week at Tilly Park with the 1sts taking on local rivals Stirling County 3’s and the Rams playing Bo’Ness.  The Hillfoots Director of Rugby, Ian Hamilton commented, “The supporters who turned out on a chilly January day to support the ‘Foots were definitely a 16th player for us – it would be great to see everyone come along this weekend and support both our teams.” 

 

 
 

Looking back on 2017

 

 
 

2017 has been a great year and 2018 promises to be even better!  What a great series of Autumn Internationals and an unbeaten Warriors in the Pro-14 (let’s ignore the European Cup!).  On the Club front, the 1st XV are second in the League with probably the league decider on the 6th of Jan against Blairgowrie RFC – it would be great to see you all down in the Park to support them.  Our 2nd XV, the Rams are managing to fulfil most of their fixtures and maintain a positive and fun attitude in the face of some teams not playing in the spirit of a developmental league.  The Youth squad, playing with Falkirk as “Hillkirk” are enjoying their rugby and developing well both as a squad and as individual players.  Last but by no means least, the Juniors through to Tigers continue to thrive – we have been lucky with the weather, fingers crossed for more fun in the Park in the New Year.  Finally, socially there has been something on for everyone at the Club, from live music to gin tasting and not forgetting our Christmas Jumper Party.  Hope you all have a great Christmas and a cracking New Year!

Paddy

 

 
 

 

 
 

This weekend’s Action:

 

 

Saturday:

  • 1st XV: Home to Stirling County 3rd XV – 2pm kick off.
  • Rams: Home to Bo’ness 1st XV – 2pm kick off.

Sunday:

  • Youth: From 10 am, outdoor training at Alva Academy – no metal studs please!  Also bring along trainers for some S&C work inside.
  • Juniors: From 10 am, indoor training at Alva Academy – please bring trainers and don’t forget your water!

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

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