Welcome to Episode 5 of the BRFC Podcast. This week we let the fans do the talking, long interviews with Jackie Dodd and Davie Barr covering everything from international tickets to their hopes for the season.
Mentioned in this week's episode:
Edinburgh Academicals Download the podcast here
Friday 29 August 2008
Wednesday 27 August 2008
Here We Go Again
It seems strange that the league season is almost upon us already, just a few short days away. There hardly seems time to have savoured the building anticipation of pre-season. After just two warm-up games - circumstance denied us a third in Manchester - we're preparing to face Accies in the season opener, but it all seems just a bit too quick.
It's one area that I think football does better than our game. Obviously it's difficult in at an amateur level of the sport, but I'd have loved a good month at least of meaningless pre-season matches. I like to be driven to the very point of insanity before competitive action gets underway.
Nevertheless, here we go again. Our success of last season will no doubt make us the side that everyone is gunning for from day one. If Accies snatch a victory at Meggetland on Saturday then I reckon there'll be as much sniggering in clubhouses around the division as there has been in France at Toulouse losing their season opener to Montpellier. However, the target pinned to them should be something the guys are used to by now.
From the very early weeks of last season it became obvious that we were the team to beat and teams, I'm sure, upped their game when they faced us. Given that we overcame it last term, there should be no expectation that we can't do the same this time around.
It has become a cliché to say that defending a title is much harder than winning it first time around, but only because it happens to be true. When Rory Couper lifted the league trophy at Millbrae in January, it was only the third time that a 'Muir captain had got his hands on it, and never has the team gone on to claim the same success in the following year.
It is said to be the mark of great teams that they can sustain their success over a number of years. And, to my mind, though it may sound somewhat greedy, that is the challenge for the side this season. Obviously, from a playing and coaching perspective they are right to take it 'one match at a time' and not really set goals for the season, but as a fan I can't help but look at the big picture.
During my near decade involved with the club's website, I've seen us win plenty of silverware and create plenty of history (particularly in the national cup), but to see us crowned back to back champions, for Fergus Pringle to lift the trophy skyward come March, would top the lot.
It's one area that I think football does better than our game. Obviously it's difficult in at an amateur level of the sport, but I'd have loved a good month at least of meaningless pre-season matches. I like to be driven to the very point of insanity before competitive action gets underway.
Nevertheless, here we go again. Our success of last season will no doubt make us the side that everyone is gunning for from day one. If Accies snatch a victory at Meggetland on Saturday then I reckon there'll be as much sniggering in clubhouses around the division as there has been in France at Toulouse losing their season opener to Montpellier. However, the target pinned to them should be something the guys are used to by now.
From the very early weeks of last season it became obvious that we were the team to beat and teams, I'm sure, upped their game when they faced us. Given that we overcame it last term, there should be no expectation that we can't do the same this time around.
It has become a cliché to say that defending a title is much harder than winning it first time around, but only because it happens to be true. When Rory Couper lifted the league trophy at Millbrae in January, it was only the third time that a 'Muir captain had got his hands on it, and never has the team gone on to claim the same success in the following year.
It is said to be the mark of great teams that they can sustain their success over a number of years. And, to my mind, though it may sound somewhat greedy, that is the challenge for the side this season. Obviously, from a playing and coaching perspective they are right to take it 'one match at a time' and not really set goals for the season, but as a fan I can't help but look at the big picture.
During my near decade involved with the club's website, I've seen us win plenty of silverware and create plenty of history (particularly in the national cup), but to see us crowned back to back champions, for Fergus Pringle to lift the trophy skyward come March, would top the lot.
Friday 22 August 2008
Episode #4 - Alan Sievewright, Ben Fisher, Eamon John & Mark Hare
In Episode 4 of the BRFC Podcast we review the pre-season match against Tynedale and take a look at the Experimental Law Variations which will be trialled in the coming season.
After the win in Tynedale, the BRFC Podcast spoke to Ben Fisher and Mark Hare, whilst Alan Sievewright and Eamon John were asked to give their views on the law changes for the 2008-09 season. We also go through each law changes and the effects it could have on the game.
Mentioned in this week's episode:
Experimenal Law Variations: A detailed look at the changes can be found on the SRU website by clicking here.
You can download this week's podcast via iTunes, or by downloading from the club website
After the win in Tynedale, the BRFC Podcast spoke to Ben Fisher and Mark Hare, whilst Alan Sievewright and Eamon John were asked to give their views on the law changes for the 2008-09 season. We also go through each law changes and the effects it could have on the game.
Mentioned in this week's episode:
Experimenal Law Variations: A detailed look at the changes can be found on the SRU website by clicking here.
You can download this week's podcast via iTunes, or by downloading from the club website
Tuesday 19 August 2008
The Prophet of Doom
Proph.et (noun) a person who predicts the future: a prophet of doom.
I have to say, I was looking forward to Saturday afternoon. Travelling to an away game, 5 Live blaring out the latest sporting happenings (we were getting thoroughly over excited as His Royal Hoyness stormed to victory in the keirin), it felt like the rugby season was well and truly back. And just to clinch that feeling, a voice that I hadn’t heard since April piped up.
“I think we could get well beaten today.” The Senior Webmonkey had found his inner Prophet of Doom and was giving him an early outing, getting him properly warmed up for when the competitive action comes calling. To be honest, his pessimism before kick-off against Tynedale wasn’t out of order, there were some big names missing from the Boroughmuir squad.
Indeed, for once I agreed with the worrywart. With Gus Martyn, the Duchess, Charlie “No Socks” Keenan and Tom Bury missing, plus a good few others who featured regularly in the league winning squad last season, the smart money had to be on the Englishmen. Ten minutes in it looked like it could be worse than expected, but a few stirring fight backs later there were fifty points on the board and a win in the pocket.
What was strange about the game, however, was that it appears to have killed the Prophet of Doom. As we chucked all the Webmonkey equipment into the back of the car, a rare sound reached my ears.
“I’m going to hope now.” At first I thought I must have misheard, or that he must be faking it more than a Chinese gymnast’s passport. But no, all the way back up the A68 there were noises of optimism about the season ahead. I nearly passed out from the shock (or maybe it was just travel sickness from the ridiculously vomit-inducing road back north).
Needless to say, I expect a reincarnation of the Prophet to return in time for the game against Accies, I don’t think going to the game would be the same without it. Its become like a comfort blanket, a sign that another fun-filled Saturday of rugby action has arrived. If the Prophet really has died, I’ll shed a tear for its passing.
Friday 15 August 2008
Episode #3 - Jamie Scott, Mike Baillie, Stevie Douglas & Stuart Clark
In Episode 3 we take a look at how Meggetland RFC are shaping up ahead of their debut campaign in East Division 1.
As well as taking a quick look at last night's friendly for Boroughmuir against Stewart's Melville, we talk to various members of the Meggetland squad and management to get an idea of how pre-season has been going and what their expectations are for the season ahead.
Mentioned in this week's episode:
Tynedale RFC
Stewart's Melville RFC
All music in this week's episode supplied by Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com.
From this week, the podcast is available via iTunes. To subsribe, click the link to the right of the page and then select, 'subscribe via iTunes'. ou can also download this (and previous) week's episode from the Boroughmuir website.
As well as taking a quick look at last night's friendly for Boroughmuir against Stewart's Melville, we talk to various members of the Meggetland squad and management to get an idea of how pre-season has been going and what their expectations are for the season ahead.
Mentioned in this week's episode:
Tynedale RFC
Stewart's Melville RFC
All music in this week's episode supplied by Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.com.
From this week, the podcast is available via iTunes. To subsribe, click the link to the right of the page and then select, 'subscribe via iTunes'. ou can also download this (and previous) week's episode from the Boroughmuir website.
Friday 8 August 2008
Episode #2 - Fergus Pringle, Calum Cusiter & Freddie Lait
Episode 2 of the BRFC Podcast has been released this evening.
This week we focus on the 1st XV and their preparations for the upcoming season. There are interviews with new club captain Fergus Pringle, scrum half Calum Cusiter and prop forward Freddie Lait.
This week we focus on the 1st XV and their preparations for the upcoming season. There are interviews with new club captain Fergus Pringle, scrum half Calum Cusiter and prop forward Freddie Lait.
Sunday 3 August 2008
Podcast Episode #1 - Show Notes
Today the first episode of the BRFC Podcast has gone live. With the redesign of the club website over the summer, we felt it was time to introduce some new features, and this is one of them. Episodes of the podcast will be released weekly, on a Friday evening, and will continue throughout the 2008-09 season.
At the moment, you can download the podcast as an audio file from the club website (a link is provided below) and in the near future it will be available through iTunes and ZenCast for automatic download each time a new episode is released.
In this episode, we look at the changes which have taken place at the club over the summer and sit down for chats with both Iain Paxton and George Clark. Please feel free to leave your comments and let me know what you think of the episode.
Mentioned in this episode:
*http://www.boroughmuirrfc.co.uk/ - Boroughmuir Rugby Club website
*http://www.pacdv.com/sounds/free-music.html – An excellent source of royalty free music and the providers of the music for the podcast.
Download the podcast here
At the moment, you can download the podcast as an audio file from the club website (a link is provided below) and in the near future it will be available through iTunes and ZenCast for automatic download each time a new episode is released.
In this episode, we look at the changes which have taken place at the club over the summer and sit down for chats with both Iain Paxton and George Clark. Please feel free to leave your comments and let me know what you think of the episode.
Mentioned in this episode:
*http://www.boroughmuirrfc.co.uk/ - Boroughmuir Rugby Club website
*http://www.pacdv.com/sounds/free-music.html – An excellent source of royalty free music and the providers of the music for the podcast.
Download the podcast here
Come on, entertain me
Go on, admit it, last season was a bit dull, wasn’t it? I mean, winning the league by thirty-odd points was very enjoyable, but where were the heart attack inducing nerves at the end of the season? Where were the games at the end of the season which define your season in eighty of the longest minutes you’ll ever experience? Meggetland got it right, win the title on the last day, away from home, against your closest rivals. That’s the way to do it.
Obviously I’m exaggerating somewhat, the way the side played last season was wonderful to watch and the confidence whilst travelling to matches that we’d be watching a win was a nice experience. However, once the title was won and the cup was lost I could barely muster enthusiasm for the remaining games. Accies and GHA at Meggetland where the worst of the lot. I was there, I cheered the lads on, but I don’t remember ever being quite as flat before a game before.
I’ve become sick of sodding cricket, tennis and golf over the summer months. I’m ready for the return of rugby, and before you mention it, I don’t get the Super 14. It’s become so much a cross between fifteen-a-side touch and rugby league that I really couldn’t care less, I couldn’t tell you with any certainty who won it this year – I’d have to guess at one of the Kiwi sides.
However, much as I’m looking forward to the new season and much as I want to see Boroughmuir do what they haven’t before and retain the Premiership title, I’d rather not see them do so in a season that leaves me bored two months before I should be. I have every faith in the coaches and the players at the club, anybody who wants to take our crown from us will have to perform to their very best every week to beat us, but I’d enjoy it more if we were travelling to Bridgehaugh in late March still needing to win to cement our rightful place at #1. Well, I’d enjoy it as long as we won, anyway.
Obviously I’m exaggerating somewhat, the way the side played last season was wonderful to watch and the confidence whilst travelling to matches that we’d be watching a win was a nice experience. However, once the title was won and the cup was lost I could barely muster enthusiasm for the remaining games. Accies and GHA at Meggetland where the worst of the lot. I was there, I cheered the lads on, but I don’t remember ever being quite as flat before a game before.
I’ve become sick of sodding cricket, tennis and golf over the summer months. I’m ready for the return of rugby, and before you mention it, I don’t get the Super 14. It’s become so much a cross between fifteen-a-side touch and rugby league that I really couldn’t care less, I couldn’t tell you with any certainty who won it this year – I’d have to guess at one of the Kiwi sides.
However, much as I’m looking forward to the new season and much as I want to see Boroughmuir do what they haven’t before and retain the Premiership title, I’d rather not see them do so in a season that leaves me bored two months before I should be. I have every faith in the coaches and the players at the club, anybody who wants to take our crown from us will have to perform to their very best every week to beat us, but I’d enjoy it more if we were travelling to Bridgehaugh in late March still needing to win to cement our rightful place at #1. Well, I’d enjoy it as long as we won, anyway.
Friday 1 August 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the BRFC Blog. Throughout the 2008-09 season I'll be posting weekly my somewhat irreverent thoughts on supporting Boroughmuir Rugby Club far and wide as they try to retain the SHE Premiership title. I'll also be keeping you up-to-date on the forthcoming 'BRFC Podcast', another weekly event which will include chat about the week's games and interviews with the good, the bad and the ugly of the club.
I'll also be posting an ad-hoc production diary about the trials and tribulations of filming a documentary which will be following the 1st XV through their season. It's the first time I've taken on something on such a grand scale, so they will doubtless be plenty of amusing failure to write about over the next nine or so months.I hope it'll prove an enjoyable read, click the 'subscribe' button to the right of the page if you want to be kept up-to-date as and when new posts are published through an RSS feed.That's all for now, save to say, "watch this space".
I'll also be posting an ad-hoc production diary about the trials and tribulations of filming a documentary which will be following the 1st XV through their season. It's the first time I've taken on something on such a grand scale, so they will doubtless be plenty of amusing failure to write about over the next nine or so months.I hope it'll prove an enjoyable read, click the 'subscribe' button to the right of the page if you want to be kept up-to-date as and when new posts are published through an RSS feed.That's all for now, save to say, "watch this space".
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