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Gemmell’s View

Gemmell’s View

Anthonie Malley8 Sep 2018 - 10:15
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Head coach David Gemmell shares his match day thoughts

We welcome Selkirk to Laigh Bent for week 2 of our Tennent’s National 1 campaign and our first home league fixture.

Though the guys were extremely disappointed with themselves afterwards, there were positives to be taken from last week’s game at Gala. After an underwhelming first half performance, the Bulls responded with a far more controlled second 40 minutes - simply looking after possession being the key difference.

The coaching team have asked the squad to bring as much energy to their defence as they do when attacking and we’ll be keen to see an improvement this afternoon.

With not many changes from last week’s squad, we look to the following players for a strong home performance.

Taz McLaughlin and Greg Richardson again start at prop with Darren Carr covering from pitch side. My toughest call of this week was favouring Ross McQueen for the start at hooker over Grant McCowan who will be champing at the bit until released from the sideline.

Josh White and Gareth Jones are unchanged at 2nd row with Ryan Butcher supporting again from the bench after a strong 40 last week.

Robert Brown replaces an injured Frazer Dunnachie at 7 in combination with Gregor Brodie and Scott Alexander at 6 & 8 respectively.

Hugo Crush and Owen McLeish are retained at halfback with Craig Inglis moving from wing into the 13 jersey beside skipper Mark Wallace as replacement for the injured David Milne.

Both Ben Plant and Craig Skilling ended the Gala game with a try and will be hungry for more. Ethan Aitken is reselected at fullback for a first home appearance after last week’s debut.

Neil Kennedy will be keen to make his league debut from the bench which he shares with Liam bell.

In other action, Bulls Toos and u18s are away to Stirling County and the ‘27 have Hill Jills at home.

A last word to the guys who I turned out with on Friday night’s charity touch night. Great fun, over £1000 raised and delighted with such support for my old teammate Stevie Law and past president Wullie Logan - makes me proud to be associated with Hamilton Rugby Club.

Good luck to all Bulls today and tomorrow - hoping for a big vocal support at the club, see you there!

#GoBulls
#OneClubOurClub
#FortressLaighBent

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