Scots Raring To Go In Grand Finals

There will be no Scots playing in the Super League Grand Final next Saturday night at Old Trafford but, while most of Scotland's squad are enjoying a couple of weeks rest between the end of the club season and the international programme, this Sunday will see a group of Scottish internationals in cup final action, one in the biggest game in world club rugby - union or league. Scotland's most capped internationalist Andrew Henderson will play for Sheffield Eagles against favourites Featherstone Rovers in Sunday's Co-operative Championship Grand Final, the British's game's second tier finale, alongside club and country team-mates Jack Howieson, Alex Szostak and Mitchell Stringer. A few hours earlier, 12,000 miles away in front of 80,000 at Sydney's Olympic Stadium, their Scotland colleague Michael Robertson will play for Manly Sea Eagles against the New Zealand Warriors in the Australian National Rugby League Grand Final. It doesn't get any bigger than that.

"It would mean a lot to me personally to win the Championship, but more so for the club," says Henderson, who is again in the Scotland squad to face Ireland and France later this month. "Since arriving at Sheffield, I've really bought into the club's ethos and what they stand for. I feel what they have done since reforming 10 years ago is remarkable. They have had a long term vision to return to Super League and have took one step at a time, building a lot of infrastructure off the field and slowly improving on field performances. It would be the icing on the cake to win the Grand Final."

Sheffield have been outsiders throughout the play-off series, shocking Widnes and Leigh with superb wins in the last fortnight. Now they must do it again, and turn over the team that has led the division all season.

"We've always believed we were capable of achieving something this season, but our league form wasn't as consistent as we would have liked. But we've peaked at the business end and the boys are playing with confidence. Everyone is working hard for each other and really excited about the Grand Final. No-one gave us a cat in hell's chance of playing in the Grand Final this week let alone win the first play-off against Widnes, who we had never beaten before in the Championship until that night."

The number of Scotland internationals at Sheffield has grown over the last two years, with hooker Henderson and second-row forward Szostak joining Eagles' stalwart props Howieson and Stringer. "In some ways we've got a little group within a group but we have a fantastic team spirit here," explained Henderson, whose family are from Possil in Glasgow. "There are no cliques or egos, which is one of the reasons we're in the position we are."

Henderson, Howieson, Stringer and Szostak are all in Steve McCormack's provisional 28-man Scotland squad for the autumn internationals, but Robertson is missing. The Australian-born star is remaining in Sydney to finish his career with Manly on the biggest stage before moving to London in November to join Harlequins RL. Robertson's last appearance in the NRL Grand Final saw him score a hat-trick for Manly in their 2008 triumph.

Not that the Eagles' Saltire quartet - squad numbers 8 to 11 - have had chance to think about Scotland yet.

"I'm looking forward to Ireland and France if selected for the final 20-man squad as I love representing Scotland," said Henderson, whose Super League brothers Ian (Catalan Dragons) and Kevin (Wakefield Trinity) who have both been left out of the squad. "But my focus is purely on the Eagles at the moment and hopefully winning a Grand Final on Sunday. Once that's over I will have a few days down time, then focus on my commitments to Scotland and building towards a successful Test series."

There will be no Valvoline Cup Grand Final for Scotland newcomer Darryl Clark or Under-18 international Curtis McDonald as their Castleford Tigers Under-20s side was beaten in the semi-final by Warrington Wolves. They face Wigan Warriors, who feature Scottish full-back Shae Fraser-Lyon, in the reserves' final.

REMEMBER  to get your tickets for the 2011 Annual awards dinner !! Tickets are £40 per head and includes a free ticket for the Scotland vs. Ireland test series international the next day at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow. Members of the Scottish national side and their management team will be in attendance for what should be a fantastic evening.

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Edinburgh Eagles show RESPECT

Edinburgh Eagles qualify Touchline Managers...

A RESPECT presentation was held at Edinburgh Eagles ARLFC last week with the evening revolving around RFL's RESPECT programme, which is a code of conduct for players, coaches, match officials, spectators and volunteers within the game of rugby league.

The evening was presented by Peter Wharton the RFL's Match Officials Development Officer for the region, the evening also included qualifying the attendees as Touchline Managers.

With the conclusion of the evening all in attendance had a better understanding of what their roles and responsibilities they have within the game of rugby league.

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Eagles to take on Hawks

Edinburgh head south for Semi - Final

The Scottish Rugby League Conference Champions the Edinburgh Eagles are to head south this Sunday in the Rugby League Conference Premier Semi Final where they will play Parkside Hawks (Hunslet).

The Eagles, undefeated in 2011 will take on an impressive Hawks outfit that will be aiming to clip the Eagles wings in what is expected to be a close encounter. Edinburgh were drawn against Peterlee Pumas in the quarter final stages of the National Competition and were the first Scottish team to progress past that stage.

Should the Eagles progress into the Final they will be playing either Accrington & Leyland Warriors or Hammersmith Hill Hoists in Coventry on the 11th September.

Edinburgh are delighted to have progressed this far.

"It's been a big couple of weeks for the club, we regained the Scottish Title and have gone unbeaten in the domestic competition which was one of our goals for the 2011 season. To progress into the national competition and to be the first Scottish team to progress this far is great for not only the club but rugby league in Scotland. Hopefully we can pull out another win out of the bag. I didn't think we played particularly well against Peterlee in the last round but we've been working on the elements where we went wrong and hopefully the boys will put that into use."

Edinburgh Eagles vs. Parkside Hawks

2:00pm Kick Off

Sunday 4th September at

Winlaton RFC, Axwell View, Blaydon on Tyne, NE21 6NF

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Scotland Rugby League Finals Day Line Up

Scotland Rugby League Finals Day Line Up

SCOTLAND RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS DAY 
(Please note change in kick off times)

It's the end of the domestic rugby league season and it's still all to play for as we approach the Grand Finals. This Saturday (6th August) Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow will play host to four rugby league matches as the clubs battle for the silver wear and title of Scottish Champions.

Prices for the whole day: Adult £5 / Concession £2 / Under 12 FREE

Alternatively why not take advantage of our unique facebook offer which gives you discounted bundle tickets to the Finals day, Scotland 'A' vs. Ireland 'A' / Scotland under 18 vs. England Colleges and the professional Autumn international between Scotland vs. Ireland.

Under 15 Final: 12:00pm KO


Easterhouse Panthers vs. Falkirk Romans


The Under 15 final will see last year's runners up the Easterhouse Panthers strive to go one place better this year as they face the Falkirk Romans. Falkirk, in their inaugural year have already drawn and beaten last year's champions Victoria Knights and turned over the Panthers once but Easterhouse have gone almost unbeaten this year only dropping one match at the hands of their opponents this weekend. It's all to play for this weekend as the team's battle for the Scottish Champions title.

Under 17 Final: 01:30pm KO


Aberdeen Spartans vs. Easterhouse Panthers


Aberdeen Spartans in their inaugural year in the National Youth League will be hoping they can add to the rugby league silver wear in the North East after Aberdeen Grammar School won the Saltire Schools Rugby League Tournament. They will be facing a tough challenge as they take on Easterhouse Panthers, undefeated this year in the National Youth League and hoping to retain their title from the 2009 final.

RLC Division 1 Final: 03:15pm KO


Moray Titans vs. Aberdeen Warriors


A clash of the Northern Clubs - Moray Titans and Aberdeen Warriors, who are both in their first year of senior rugby league in Scotland, will meet one final time in 2011 for the big prize of division 1. The Warriors and Titans have met twice this year in the domestic season with Aberdeen running away victors in both matches but the Titans will be looking for their first win over the Aberdeen outfit and the opportunity to claim the Division 1 title.

RLC Premier Final: 05:15pm KO


Ayrshire Storm vs. Edinburgh Eagles


The biggest match of the day as the victors of this match will earn themselves not only the title of Scottish Champions but will be awarded a place in the National Playoffs and a coveted entry into the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
This year Ayrshire Storm will take on the undefeated Edinburgh Eagles in the final match of the season. Ayrshire have succumbed to the Eagles twice this season, the first in a tightly fought encounter in Irvine where the visitors stole a 6 -14 win and again at Union Park where the Eagles ran away 46 - 0 victors.
Storm who were plate runners up in 2010 after narrowly losing to Moray Eels will be hoping they can turn over the Eagles outfit as they did the Lions last weekend in their playoff match. Edinburgh who are making their 12th Grand Final appearance will be looking to secure their 8th Grand Final win in 14 years.

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Ayrshire Storm into Grand final

Ayrshire Storm to make debut in Scottish Grand Final.

 FIFE LIONS 22-42 AYRSHIRE STORM

Ayrshire Storm qualified for the Grand Final in considerable style with an impressive display at Harley Street.

The Storm will now battle Edinburgh Eagles at Scotstoun next Saturday for the title of Scottish rugby league champions, and while the Eagles will start as hot favourites to notch their eighth title in twelve Grand Final appearances, if the Storm can produce a similar performance they will have nothing to fear from their more illustrious opponents. For the Lions, on the other hand, it is back to the drawing board as their wait for their first Grand Final appearance since 2008 extends for another year.

The early signs were not promising for the visitors as the home side dominated possession and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 12 minutes, second row Colin Stewart eluding the defence on a penalty set to touch down under the posts. Thomas Murray added the conversion and the Lions led 6-0.

Shortly afterwards, however, came the first hint that it was to be the Storm's day. Paul Johnston sent the kick-off deep into the Lions half and the receiving player was deemed to have knocked on even though the ball went backwards out of his grasp. From the resulting set Nathan Murray was ruled to have scored in the right corner despite suspicions he had been tackled into touch. With no touch judge on hand to adjudicate, the referee was left with no alternative but to give the attacking side the benefit of the doubt. Johnston missed the difficult touchline conversion but the Storm were back in the game at 6-4.

The score appeared to open the game up and both sides had their moments before the Lions extended their lead on 25 minutes. Raymond Festorazzi was penalised for "afters" at a tackle situation and from the resulting set piece Niall Campbell went over in the right corner for the first try of what would ultimately be a hat-trick. Thomas Murray's conversion made it 12-4.

Within six minutes though the visitors were in the lead. The Lions were penalised on the set after the kick-off and after a patient spell of pressure Johnston burrowed over in the right corner for a try which he converted himself. The home side then shot themselves in the foot by sending the kick-off into touch on the full. The resulting set ended with Martin Sneddon crossing next to the posts. Again Johnston added the conversion, taking the score to 16-12 in the Storm's favour.

After this, a combination of indiscipline from the home side and good defence from the visitors ensured that there was no way back for the Lions before the break. Indeed, Nathan Murray thought he had extended the Storm's lead in first-half injury time with a try in the corner but the referee had spotted an injury to the home side's Andrew Brown in the build-up and blew for half time instead.

The Storm had a dream start to the second half when Gordon Powrie raced clear to notch their fourth try of the afternoon, Johnston goaling the conversion for a 22-12 lead.

They then presented the home side with a glorious chance to get back into the game, when in quick succession John Muir deflected the kick-off into touch deep in their half, and they were penalised for offside on the resulting set. But they produced an excellent defensive set to survive all six tackles and regain possession.

The Storm defence were to the fore again shortly afterwards when they had to withstand another set of tackles after once again being penalised. This proved crucial as Brian Hendry powered up the touchline to score in the left corner on 51 minutes. Johnston again missed a difficult touchline conversion.

The home side tried to respond and were unlucky when Stuart Tracey got a cruel bounce while attempting to gather a chip into the in-goal and the touchdown just eluded the diving Lions player. They paid for missing this chance minutes later when Hendry ran in behind the posts for his second try of the afternoon to give Johnston a straightforward conversion for 32-12.

Both sides were down to twelve men on 59 minutes when a melée between Powrie and home interchange Colin Wilson resulted in both players being sent to the sin-bin. Wilson in particular could have no complaints after being involved in a similar confrontation with Brian Hendry ten minutes earlier. The Lions were the beneficiaries of the original penalty and finally claimed the try they had been threatening when Niall Campbell scored his second of the afternoon from the resulting set. Thomas Murray was wide with the conversion, but the visitors' lead had been cut to a not yet unassailable 32-16 with twenty minutes to go.

The home side tried to exert more pressure on the visitors in a bid to get back in the game, but were unable to capitalise and on 67 minutes Nathan Murray made the game virtually safe when he raced clear to dot down under the posts, Johnston adding the extras. And after two further tries had gone begging after Tracey beat the would-be scorer to the touchdown on both occasions, Alastair Maxwell put the icing on the cake on 79 minutes with an unconverted try in the left corner to make it 42-16.

The Lions had the last word in injury time when Campbell completed his hat-trick and Thomas Murray converted, but the day ultimately belonged to the visitors.

Ayrshire take on Edinburgh Eagles in the Scotland Rugby League Premier Grand Final on Saturday 6th August at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow - 5:15pm kick off

Buy Tickets HERE 

FIFE LIONS - J Campbell; N Campbell, S Cessford, K Dalglish, S Doidge;
T Murray, G Queen; J Smith, A Brown, C Stewart, G Wallace, R Thomson, R Bryce. Interchanges: K Perrow, C Wilson.

AYRSHIRE STORM - G Powrie; N Murray, A Maxwell, J Muir, S Tracey;
D Crangle, P Johnston; B Hendry, J Marshall, N Savage, R Festorazzi, S Rodgers,
R Filander. Interchanges: M Sneddon, S Christie.
 
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