FEW clubs relish the tag of 'favourites', but Boroughmuir have to accept it as the 2008-09 Scottish Hydro Electric Division One Championship gets under way this afternoon.
Not only did they secure last season's title by a street (21 points] from the rest of the league, the introduction of 'experimental law variations' this month appears to play into their hands. When the ELVs were first trialled in Scotland, during a
one-off 'Super Cup' competition in 2006-07, Boroughmuir took flight with some stunning rugby to average 45 points in four pool games en route to beating similarly free-scoring Watsonians in the final.
In Welshman Eamon John, they also possess a shrewd head coach. A positive and genial character, he has forged a career in local government sports and leisure in East Lothian while developing as a coach with the SRU's age-grade squads. But, few things excite him more than the first day of a new season, even with the expectancy that hangs over favourites.
It's for others to determine the favourites," he said. "Yes, we have put ourselves in that position because of our performances last season, but as far as I'm concerned it's a clean sheet and winning back-to-back titles is very difficult.
The ELVs were certainly a big thing for us. In my first year we just missed relegation and then at the start of 2007 we had the 'Super Cup' and ELVs, and that was a real launchpad for us. The squad took to the open, quicker game, and turned the year around.
But people shouldn't get carried away with the ELVs. They will take a bit of getting used to and definitely have the potential to change our game for the better, but it's still a game of rugby – you've still got to be able to win the ball, keep it and use it.
What they (the ELVs] are attempting to do is open up more space and if coaches want to be creative there are more opportunities there. One particular aspect that has intrigued me watching the Tri-Nations is the kicking. There will be a lot more kicking this season, more responsibility on players knowing where they're kicking to and why, so you need a good kicking strategy.
As with any change there will be some who embrace it straight away and others who are cautious, but over the piece I welcome them and hope they improve the game."
One man who could thrive particularly on the new five-metre space off a scrum is Angus Martyn, Boroughmuir's South Africa-born flanker and the SHE Division One Player of the Year last season. He was nearly off to Stewart's Melville in the close season, but John confirmed he would run out in Boroughmuir's colours this afternoon.
These guys still need to earn a living remember, and Stew/Mel I understand had offered Angus the chance of a joiner's apprenticeship with a move to them. Obviously, I didn't want to lose him – it would have been ludicrous if the Scottish champions lost the 'player of the year' – and the club worked hard to find a similar proposal for him that would keep him here.
He's now on a mature joiner's apprenticeship, which allows him to think about his career off the field and focus hard on helping Boroughmuir remain competitive."
For all their reputation as free-running counter-attackers, last year's success owed much to their defence and Stuart Reid's ability to drill the forward pack as a tighter, combative unit. Reid, the popular former Boroughmuir and Scotland flanker, has stepped down after three years spent balancing rugby commitments with developing a career in the police force and finding time for a young family. John, who was full of praise for Reid's efforts, has turned to another former player, Brian Richardson, for assistance.
Among Scotland's most qualified coaches, having reached level three in the RFU system, Richardson captained Boroughmuir to their first official Division One title in 1990-91. That win turned a tide. In the preceding 18 years of the championship Heriot's had been the only non-Borders club to triumph, and the region still dominated the 11 years between the Heriot's and Boroughmuir wins.
Since then, there has been a more even-share as more competitive 1st XVs emerged – seven wins by Borders clubs, six from Edinburgh – Boroughmuir in 2003 and 2008 – three claimed by Glasgow, all Hawks, and one in Caledonia, for Stirling County.
Since the league's inception in 1973-74, however, only six clubs have managed to win the title back-to-back and John admits to being nervous at the thought of adding Boroughmuir's name to the list. "I'm terrible," he laughs. "The nerves are always there at this time. It's probably the feeling of going into the unknown; not knowing how you will do. But I do know we have a good squad and a very good, supportive club environment. It doesn't matter who's favourites; it's what you do from now that matters. But, of course, we're excited. Winning a championship is great, but to do it again would be special."
TODAY'S FIXTURES
Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One
Ayr v Melrose, Boroughmuir v Edinburgh Acads, Heriot's v Hawick, Selkirk v Currie, Stirling County v Watsonians, West of Scotland v Glasgow Hawks.
The full article contains 895 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
