Helensburgh Advertiser | Sport

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Thursday, 17th April, 2008 09:10

Do or drop

By David Christie

Comments (0)

Print Article

BURGH players are preparing for the game of their lives this weekend as they entertain Lasswade.

The team need just one point to leapfrog Madras out of the final relegation spot but Lasswade — currently sitting fourth — will be no pushovers.

When the two sides met earlier in the season, the men from Midlothian ran out comfortable 41-7 winners, an ominous result considering the single loss point Burgh need means keeping any defeat to less than seven points.

But coach Liam McIntyre is not interested in settling for a narrow defeat and is preparing to have his team fired up for the occasion.

Image related to story, see caption or article text

TRYING: Burgh club.

He told Sport Scene: “We have got to win and I believe we are absolutely going to win. Staying up is all we are thinking about, nothing else.

“Of course there will be a safety element to our play as Lasswade are a team flying high and capable of playing good rugby.

“Our forwards have to be on form and take control very quickly.And once we play the game in their half, it is all about composure and the scores will come.

“In training I will be emphasising the need for composure, patience and having the ability to read the game — show these traits and we will be able to dictate how the game ends up.”

The players turned in a spirited performance against National Division 2 side Caithness in the Quarter Final of the Bowl a fortnight ago, lucking out to the Thurso outfit by just nine points.

Captain Neil Sloan will boost the squad, returning to action after a nasty head knock during the Caithness match.

But McIntyre will be without his first choice props, with Gregor Boyd and Adam Drake both sidelined.

Despite these setbacks, he believes his side is strong enough to cope.

McIntyre added: “The squad we have is young but it is also capable of being at the top of the table, not scrapping at the bottom.

“This season has been a steep learning curve and none more so than this final match.”

Comments