Porty add a touch of Hollywood with new coaching team

Published on Friday 5 September 2008 09:54

PORTOBELLO Rugby Club have a new coaching set-up in place ahead of their Scottish Hydro Electric East League Division One opener against Broughton at Cavalry Park tomorrow.

The trio of Dave Hardy, Sean Hollywood and Nick Thomas have been putting the players through their paces over the summer since the departure of Eddie Henderson to Preston Lodge. Hardy has played stand-off for the club over a number of years since converting from rugby league, Hollywood is a solid back-rower who turned out for Boroughmuir two seasons ago before returning to Cavalry Park and Thomas can play either stand-off or full-back.

Thomas' brother Chris, who plays centre, has also taken over the captaincy from back-row Ed Henderson. Last term Porty recovered from a clubhouse fire and made it to the Scottish Hydro Electric Plate final at Murrayfield, but they will want to improve on seventh in the league.

President Iain Goodall said: "There is a good atmosphere around the club and this season we are running a colts team as well as, hopefully, a third XV so things are going well."

Broughton make the trip with new skipper Dan Arrandale at the helm. Graham Bonner is still coaching at the club too, having taken up a director of rugby role at Wardie over the summer.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted teams Meggetland and Dalkeith, whose new coach is Stevie Dick, start with away trips to Hawick Harlequins and Penicuik respectively.

In East Lothian, Dunbar host Hawick Linden and North Berwick welcome Duns.