Edinburgh Accies v Co-optimists: Festive clash mixes youth and experience

Published on 27/12/2012 00:07

Edinburgh Accies host the Co-optimists, Scotland’s oldest invitational side, in their traditional festive fixture this afternoon at Raeburn Place (1.30pm).

The home side go into the match having seen their pre-Christmas RBS Premiership match at Melrose postponed just prior to kick-off on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. As a result they will be keen to get a game in ahead of their next league match against old rivals Heriot’s on 5 January.

The Accies squad has a young look to it, with their up-and-coming players who have already been in the first XV this term or those who are pushing for top-team action being given a chance to impress alongside a couple of older heads.

The Co-optimists squad also has a good mix of youth and experience from around the country.

They will be coached by Murrayfield Wanderers head coach Bruce Aitchison, assisted by former Scotland Sevens skipper Mark Lee, with the latter also set to pull on his boots.

It will be exciting to see Howe of Fife duo Chris Mason and Dom Martin in action after thay have had a good few months for the Cupar club, while the team will be looking to the likes of Callum Anderson (Aberdeen Grammar) and Alex Cox (Murrayfield Wanderers) to bag the tries. Last year in this fixture the Co-ops ran in five tries in a 31-14 win. That day Murray Douglas, Callum Anderson, Dougie Fife, Fraser Brown and Sean Crombie scored their tries with Josh Pecqueur and Alex Henderson – who was loaned to the club for the day from Boroughmuir – scoring for Accies.

Squads.

Edinburgh Accies: Ruairidh Young; Rory Watt, Iain Berthinussen, Nyle Godsmark, Alex Blair; Euan Bonner. Jonny Adams; Duncan McLeod, Fraser Rawlinson, Chris Murray, Greg Campbell, Max Gordon, Callum Reid, Tom Drennan, Ryan Godsmark. Subs: Michael Liness, Jonny McSorley, Ronan Seydak, Cameron Simpson, TBC.

Co-optimists: Mark Lee, Callum Anderson, Wullie Blacklock, Alex Cox, Chris Hardie, Alex Moffat, James Wilson, Graham Speirs, Mike McDonald, James Ferguson, Aaron Iddins, Scott Brewster, George Ooomen, Richie Maxton, Stewart Walker, Anthony Reen. Others tbc.