Derby day fears for Dalziel
David Knox • Published 11 Oct 2011 09:30
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MELROSE coach John Dalziel admits his club's biggest fear this season lies just four miles up the road.
The 34-year-old back row forward accompanied Greenyards president John Reed on Friday night to collect the Ettrick and Lauderdale Sports Council's Team of the Year Award.
Last season's trophy haul - which included the Premier One title and their own sevens' Ladies Cup - made Craig Chalmers' team the unanimous choice with judges.
But, even surrounded by some his most talented teammates - Jamie Murray, Cammy Murray, Fraser Thomson and Graeme Dodds - Dalziel admitted Gala are aiming up to be one of his club's biggest threats. John told the Border Telegraph: "It took us four or five seasons to build up the team which won so much last season. It's an honour to be recognised away from rugby for what we achieved.
"Retaining the title is something that very few teams have ever managed and that is what is pushing us on this season. We've already met most of the so-called big clubs, and for me the real challenge is going to come from Gala, who are on the crest of a wave just now."
Dalziel's former club at Netherdale are the surprise package in this year's campaign.
And the towering back row is happy that Borders rugby is once again becoming a dominant force in the national club game. He added: "When I came back from the professional game, the Borders teams were well behind the city sides but that is changing.
"It is good that there are three Borders teams in the top league with Hawick in there along with us and Gala, and you don't have to look far back to see how well Selkirk did recently. Borders rugby is on the up."
The Greenyards club were presented to Friday's ceremony by long-time supporter of the game, Vivien Chisholm. She said: "In 1957 I came to work in the Borders - the heart of Scottish rugby - and I experienced Border derby games for the first time. Games played with such intensity and commitment, the like of which I had only seen previously on the pitch at Murrayfield. I am glad to say that this intensity of effort in these matches still exists today."
If Vivien's not doing anything on November 5, she may just want to pop along to Netherdale.
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 11 Oct 11
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