The new season has given us plenty to be encouraged by, while also reminding us very quickly of the standard of rugby we will face every week. Our 57–14 win against Biggar at Old Anniesland was a very strong start. A week later, Gala provided a good reality check at Netherdale, bringing a more physical challenge in our first away league fixture. We are pragmatic about the season ahead. National 1 is going to be competitive and there will be very few easy Saturdays. We want to take something from every game, and bonus points will matter. Even in defeat at Gala, scoring four tries and taking a bonus point was therefore important.
What has been particularly encouraging is the resolve and determination already shown by this group. There is real potential within the squad, but potential only matters if we keep working, developing and competing every week. And, as ever, the senior results are only one part of GHK. There is a great deal happening across junior rugby, encouraging progress towards girls’ rugby and plenty of work being done by volunteers behind the scenes. The season is under way. There will be challenges, but there is plenty for us to build on.
Kenneth Cowan
President, GHK Rugby Club
Senior Rugby | A fast start and a reality check
The GHK 1st XV began its National 1 campaign in some style at Old Anniesland, beating Biggar 57–14. The team lost ground quickly with Biggar starting fast and quickly securing a convincing 0 – 14 point lead. This is where the teams resolve, character and evolving confidence started to show and what followed was a solid unanswered 57 points. Decent set piece, a strong a maul and fast hands all lead to a decisive win. Nine tries told much of the story. Finlay Wiseman crossed three times, with Cameron Marr, Leo Findlay, Fraser Stanier, Adam Anderson, James Tweedie and captain Ben Hutton also scoring. Callum Busby added six conversions. There was another nice moment in Cameron Marr’s first appearance for the 1st XV, coming from the bench and marking it with a try. Tobi Sofidiya was named Player of the Match. For the whole season all home game Player of the Match awards will be Sponsored very kindly by 29 States.
The following weekend brought a very different test at Netherdale. Gala’s greater physicality provided a stern challenge and the home side came away with a 41–22 victory. GHK scored four tries through Ben Hutton, Erick Smith, Dan Eakin and Hamish Bottomley, with Adam Anderson adding a conversion. That secured an important try bonus point despite the defeat, with Fin Sharp named GHK’s Player of the Match.
Back at Old Anniesland, Stirling County provided another physical test with GHK losing 14 – 54. Out team made a solid start, keeping the game scoreless through 
the opening 20 minutes before Stirling began to build momentum. There was a strong response after the break. Fraser Thomson and Hamish Bottomley scored tries, both converted by Adam Anderson, bringing GHK closer and showing what the side can do when the ball moves through the hands. The set piece also provided encouragement. The scrum stood up well against larger opposition and, with good ball, GHK made ground and found gaps. The final 15 minutes made the scoreline harsher as Stirling found space on the wings and pushed their total beyond 50 points. Dan Eakin stood in for the Injured Ben Hutton as Captain and led from the front earning himself a well-deserved Player of the Match.
This is a learning period for the group. The challenge is to turn good spells into longer, more consistent performances against strong National 1 opposition.
The wider senior squad has been busy too. The 2nd XV opened with a 55–14 win away from home in a friendly preseason game to West of Scotland before a considerably tougher afternoon in their first league fixture at The Greenyards, losing 101–12 to Melrose. The response against Stewart’s Melville at Old Anniesland was an excellent one: a convincing 45–26 GHK win. Seven tries underlined the attacking response. Lewis Rowand scored a hat-trick, Jack Dalziel added two, with Fergus Wallace and Harris Clark also crossing. Rory Baillie and Robbie Livingston added the conversions. After the difficult afternoon at Melrose, it was exactly the sort of response the 2nd XV wanted: regroup, learn from it and come back with a strong performance at home. There will be better Saturdays and tougher ones across both teams this season. The important thing is that we keep building one competitive senior playing squad.
Junior Rugby | Plenty happening – and work to do
There is plenty of rugby happening across the younger end of GHK, although the start of the season has also highlighted where we need to grow. The latest junior report records 128 players across the age groups listed, from the combined Micros/P4 group through to U17. There are particularly healthy numbers at U13, U14 and U17, while recruitment at some younger and older age groups needs attention. Our U13s have 18 players and are competing in Group A of the West Youth Fixtures, while the U14s also have 18 players and are playing in Group C. Discussions with other clubs are helping us find ways to get as much rugby played as possible. The position at U15 is more challenging. A group that was one of our strongest last season has not yet returned in the same numbers, while school rugby continues to have an impact at U16 and U17. At the younger end, Minis have been training at Balgray. Numbers are lower than previous years, particularly among the youngest players, which has led to Micros and P4 joining together. That gives us a clear priority: we need to get more children playing rugby at GHK. If you know a family looking for somewhere their child can run around, make friends, learn the game and enjoy being part of a club, send them our way. Previous rugby experience isn’t required.
Girls’ Rugby | The next step gets closer
There has been an important development in our plans to establish girls’ rugby at GHK. We have now secured funding from Glasgow Life, giving the project a significant boost as we work towards getting the programme under way. The next practical step is securing the right facilities. We are working towards a pitch allocation and discussing possible minibus support with The High School of Glasgow, with the intention of beginning activity towards the end of September. There is still work to do before we describe the section as fully operational, but this is genuine progress. Our ambition is to create an opportunity for girls to come to GHK whether they have never touched a rugby ball or already play the game: bring people together, make it enjoyable, build the group and let the rugby develop from there.
There will be more to follow.
People Who Make GHK | Colin MacVoy
Some of the most valuable work at a rugby club happens nowhere near a rugby ball. A particular thank you this month goes to Colin MacVoy, who has done an excellent job moving junior rugby administration and payments onto the Spond platform.
It’s the sort of project that doesn’t produce a Saturday afternoon highlight reel, but good administration makes life easier for coaches, volunteers and parents—and ultimately helps the rugby run better. Junior rugby is providing the proving ground for the new system. Once it has had time to demonstrate how well it works in practice, we will look at whether the senior teams should move across too. Thank you, Colin. A considerable amount of work has gone into getting it this far and it is greatly appreciated.
One Club | The challenges connect
Junior rugby needs more players. Girls’ rugby is moving closer to becoming a reality. Transport and access to suitable pitches matter. Volunteers are finding better ways to organise the club. And our senior squad is establishing itself in a highly competitive league.
None of those things sits entirely on its own. A strong GHK means giving a child somewhere enjoyable to start rugby, keeping young people playing as they get older, creating new opportunities for girls, giving senior players somewhere ambitious to develop and making it manageable for the volunteers who hold everything together.
Different teams. Different ages. One GHK Rugby Club.
Coming Up
Saturday 19 September | Away
Musselburgh v GHK 1st XV — 3pm
E Accies v GHK 2nd XV — 3pm
Saturday 26 September | Old Anniesland
GHK 1st XV v Selkirk — 3pm
GHK 2nd XV v Currie 3rd — 3pm
Saturday 3 October | Away
Jed-Forest v GHK 1st XV — 3pm
Kelso Sharks v GHK 2nd XV — 3pm
Saturday 17 October | Old Anniesland
GHK 1st XV v Marr — 3pm
GHK 2nd XV v West of Scotland — 3pm
There is no senior fixture on 10 October.
Further ahead, Saturday 31 October brings our confirmed Sponsors and Supporters Lunch, alongside the Boroughmuir home fixture. Booking details will follow.
GHK Rugby Club | Old Anniesland | WeAreGHK