Duo set for Braidholm derby duel

Just under ten miles separate the grounds of GHA and Glasgow Hawks, with even less of a distance between the pair in the Tennent’s Premiership standings after four rounds of action. Braidholm is the setting of Saturday’s (October 5^th) derby fixture as GHA aim to back up last weekend’s first win of the season with victory over their vicinal rivals.

Hawks lost at home to Musselburgh a week ago and know that ceding points to their hosts tomorrow could leave them bottom of the pile depending on results elsewhere; the importance of this particular showdown is apparent well before kick-off.

Trevor Carmichael, Head Coach of GHA, is looking forward to the contest, saying: “It’s over three years since we have played Glasgow Hawks,which was in the Scottish Cup and haven’t played a league match against them since 2008. The squad is looking forward to the resurrection of this Glasgow derby and the challenge that is front of us. We will be looking to push on from last weekend and secure another home victory.”

Hawks will be desperate to bounce back from last Saturday’s home loss to Musselburgh and Head Coach Andy Hill can’t think of a better fixture with which to bounce back, saying: “It’s been a couple of years since the last Glasgow derby between ourselves and GHA and this will be the first in the league for many a year. GHA play an exciting brand of rugby and like to play at tempo so it should make for a great match with both teams looking to pick up their second win of the season.”

Elsewhere In round five of the Tennent’s Premiership, unbeaten leaders Marr head to Mansfield Park for a battle with Hawick and there’s a borders derby at Philiphaugh as Jed-Forest make the half hour journey to face Selkirk. Musselburgh welcome high-flying Aberdeen Grammar to Stoneyhill on the back of that first win last weekend, and Currie Chieftains will be aiming to bounce back from last week’s loss when they host Edinburgh Accies at Malleny Park.

Teams for GHA v Glasgow Hawks @ Braidholm, 3pm kick-off.

GHA: Grant Mollison; Jordan Craig, Charlie Lonergan, Cameron King, Jackson Baillie; Jack Anderson, Andrew Gillman; Tony Brogan, Hamish Clark, Sean Fisher; Adam Barnett, Jamie McCarthy ©; Adam Kerr, Dario Ewing, Luke Mccutcheon.

Replacements: Michael Fox, Mike Ryan, Milan Marinkovic, George Baird, Ruairi O’Keefe.

Glasgow Hawks: Yousif Alagilly; Kerr Gossman, Erlend Oag, Callum Harrison, Murray Godsman; Liam Brims, Sandy Greig; Lyall Archer, Jack Gemmell, Gary Strain; Andrew Kirkland, Stephen Leckey ©; Paul Henderson, Struan Dow, Fraser Christie.

Replacements: Tom McTeir, Jack McLean, Max Priestly, Connor Holborn, Kyle Henderson.