Whether you are a player, coach or supporter, we all want to see our team winning matches and it is tough to accept that a season can still be successful even if you lose more than you win. This was always going to be the case for the 1s & 2s this season – when you are battling against the drop, there will be long losing runs. It is during these times it is important not to focus too heavily on negatives, but to find the positives and improvements each week.

1STXV
It is fair to say that in the first half of the season, we struggled to cope with the physicality of those Clubs in the top half of the League. Our lack of depth in certain positions was exposed when senior players were injured. We did not win enough games against teams in the bottom half of the table. These observations are clear to all those involved with the squad.

However, as the season has progressed, we have been more competitive against teams at the top end of the table and stood up stronger to the physical challenge. Younger players have improved and now look more comfortable at this level. As the season draws to a close, we have seen in recent performances that the team look more confident and are playing an entertaining style of rugby and most encouragingly we have seen improvement in all our players.

It is inspiring to watch the players develop whether it is on the pitch, in training or pushing themselves in the gym. There is no better role model than Mark Wallace, who has shown a hunger to improve his game and understood the adjustments needed in his training regime to be competitive at National 1 level. It is great to have a player in his 30s as committed and focussed as Mark that the younger players can look to for inspiration. Andy Wilson is another who pushed himself in the gym (outside his comfort zone) to be ready for the physical challenge of National 1 and he has shown all season that he belongs at this level with some stand-out performances.

We have also seen the strength of our youth section with Jordan McLean playing 1st XV rugby and being fortunate to make his debut in the narrow home win v Selkirk. One final namecheck for Ryan Butcher – who continues to rise to all the challenges thrown in front of him. Earning a starting role in the 2s, moving to prop when required and then deserving of involvement with the 1stXV where he continues to improve. Our future is in good hands!

Are we disappointed to be relegated – yes. Will we be stronger for the experience and be better prepared when we return – YES!!

2NDXV
Losing home and away against the bottom 2 clubs makes surviving the drop a near impossible challenge. However, the 2s managed it with seeming ease with 4 victories and a draw against Heriots, Ayr, Hawks, Watsonians & Melrose. At a time of the season when the professional support for Prem 1 clubs dries up, our 2s made the most of playing on a level playing field.

The above only tells part of the story of the 2ndXv success. The strength and character of the team has been built up over the previous 18 months. Turning up week in week out knowing that on most weeks you are in for a tough beat requires mental strength. Our players have thrived on the challenge and though with only 1 win to show for their pre-Christmas endeavours, we have been more competitive in defeat compared with 12 months ago. There will be times when the team looks out of its depth and we are not as strong as we would like to be – heavy defeats to Hawks and Ayr early in this season – but even during these games the attitude and desire of all the players cannot be questioned. The players have stuck together during the tough times and have fully deserved their rewards in the second half of the season.

The importance of retaining National 1 status should not be underestimated. Competing at this level keeps players motivated and focussed, even if sometimes disappointed that they have missed out on 1stXV selection. It sets an extremely high bar for our players coming out of youth rugby to attain and this will no doubt be helped with the youth promotion to a similar level in the Presidents Conference. The strength of a club's 2ndXV gives a strong indication as to the overall health of the playing membership and we continue to be ahead of the game in this regard.

Special mentions go to Russell Virtue who played in all but one of the 2s matches, leading by example and keeping the team on message. Scott White, who joined from Dalziel this season, worked hard to fight for a starting berth and ended up with deserved involvement at 1stXV level. John ‘Nandos’ Rogerson who was a stand-out player in a strong defensive unit and always a threat with ball in hand. Finally, Allan Keatt who epitomises the development of the 2ndXV – struggling with the step up a year ago, listened to advice and working hard on his game to become an integral part of the starting line-up this season.

Annual awards will be handed out by the SRU at the end of the season and there will almost certainly be no mention of Reserve rugby and Hamilton 2ndXV, but the achievement of the group is right up there with the best club teams in Scotland.

Ups & downs
So it’s been a season of elation and disappointment, of highs and lows and no doubt next season will bring the same! There will continue to be tough challenges ahead, but as long as we stick together and stay committed to working hard and developing as individuals and as a squad, then Hamilton’s good reputation will continue to grow and we will meet the challenges head on.

Article Provided by the Senior Coaching Team