Tennent's Velvet Bowl
IT is always difficult for a student side to muster a team during the vacation period, but Edinburgh University are confident that they will have most of their players available for their Tennent's Velvet Bowl tie with Paisley at Peffermill this afternoon.
''We anticipate having 11 or 12 of our first choice players,'' suggested Pip Kirkpatrick, the club secretary, who is confident that their reserve strength is healthy enough this session to cope with any gaps in the first team. ''Our main problem is that we haven't trained together for a few weeks.''
The lack of training, however, means that the Peffermill ground should be in good condition. ''If the first pitch is unplayable we will use our spare pitch which enjoys very good drainage,'' said Kirkpatrick.
Despite playing out of term time, Edinburgh are optimistic that they can achieve a win over Paisley, currently struggling at the foot of national league division four. The students have talent in lock Dave Paton, a former Heriot's FP first team member, hooker Will Devas, stand-off Ian Banks who represented Caledonian Reds last season at Under-21 level and full back Alan Sievewright.
For Edinburgh University, the main obstacle in progressing is the presence of national league division one clubs Duns and Corstorphine and so the draw will be crucial for the Capital students.
Duns look favourites in their tie against Forrester FP, but Corstorphine can expect a hard game against the home side Wigtonshire.
No round of a Tennent's competition would seem complete without RAF Kinloss, who face national league new boys Strathendrick this afternoon in a test of the servicemen's defence systems.
Elsewhere, national league division three side Garnock face the journey to Inverness for their tie with Highland, Moray travel in the opposite direction for their game against Hillfoots and Cumbernauld entertain Dumfries.
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