In an unusual display of punctuality this sees a second league post within the week of a game finishing, buying time for when this dedication slips later in the season…
Saturday saw Howe of Fife visit Fortress Hughenden. Well on their way to 50 unbeaten league games Howe most likely swaggered into the fort’ brimming with well-earned, but still slightly annoying, verging on cocky, confidence. “Most likely” we say as newsteam were watching from afar, averyfar, and it’s hard to make out confidence from 150 miles away. But worry not, we’re not called newsteam for nothing, so with ears like the eyes of a hawk, findy-out journalistic skills to parallel the oracle, and a number of “men on the inside”, very much in a prison stylee, we have an assortment of facts and opinions and snippets to report.
So a hard fought game, Hills forced to up their performance, stepping up another gear out of pre-season and a distinctly average performance last week. It seems the challenge is what the boys needed, they did indeed raise their game and take it to the Fifers.
Snouts report Fanny had a good game at 10, directing play with a bit more confidence than of late, exerting some control in his back line, the front 5 had some good ball carries and controlled the scrum well after the shambolic event that was the scrum-down-ho-down last week. Gussy had a good solid kicking game and got a bit more involved from the back, but there still seems to be more to come from him. Back row were strong and dynamic in the contact as ever, a lady reportedly fainted at the sight of fireman Stu flooring a Fifer, but what’s new there…
The boys superior fitness and drive to win showed through in the end as they ran out 53-10 winners, good work converting pressure into points, something they struggled with a little last year. In more dramatic news this victory earned them one thumbs up and – reportedly- a smile from chief Keith. Quite a turn-up for the books so early in the season, better keep it up boys, I wouldn’t want to be the one wiping the smile off his face…
A well deserved Chosen One of the week goes to Vinnie who clearly made an impression, and has done throughout pre-season, getting his bosh on with some strong running and ball carrying, a decent work rate, and some hard work at training to improve on any mistakes and impress the Boss man.
Ladies Choice this week goes to a player who makes life hard for himself in the award stakes by setting the bar pretty high. A strong, consistent performer, maybes more noticeable in his absence when the play that comes so easily from him falters. Quite a build up for a little guy, eh…? Ladies Choice, most definitely NOT resembling an excited little puppy, is David Armstrong.
Off to a flyer with a full set of awards this week, we also have the first Chump of the Week for ‘09/’10. This particular infringement hails from the pre-season friendly against Stirling County, where, rested for a quarter a certain burly young man looked pensive, sat on the bench among his team mates. Perhaps analysing play? Checking out the competition for his jersey? Figuring out some tactical plays and lines of running?
His thoughts became clear as he declared to his team mates:
“I don’t know about the rugby, but Stirling are certainly the prettiest team in the league”
Two awards in one week, Vinnie? That is quite a performance to live up to…
After a banterful trip to Braemar for some Highland games action Newsteam will be back pitchside this week for some proper in-depth, insightful sports reporting. Something like that anyway…
This week sees 1XV home to Garnock, 2XV home to Hawks, with 2As travelling to Waysiders.
How’s about starting a campaign to call the 2As the “Double A’s”, anybody? Throw it out there…see where it takes us, boob jokes are always a wee bit funny, right…?
Fortress Hughenden is the place for a fun-filled Saturday as post-match sees the return of Quiz-master Cammy’s Big Brain Quiz, so get revising folkies, kicks off at 7 in the members bar, some pounds to enter, everybody welcome 
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