Trophy wins put seal on clubs’ rise from ashes

Preston Lodge and Grangemouth – both great current examples of how hard work by volunteers can rebuild a rugby club – are celebrating after they picked up silverware at the weekend.

The East Lothian side defeated Duns 18-16 in the Borders to clinch the RBS East One title with their 15th win out of 15, while Grangemouth lifted the RBS Caledonia Regional Bowl with a 39-7 victory against RAF Lossiemouth in the final held in Morayshire.

Both clubs remain undefeated in all competitions this term and their recent successes are testament to the work put in by club members to help them bounce back from tough times.

In Preston Lodge’s case, they suffered two successive relegations in 2008/09 and 2009/10, while Grangemouth went down three years in a row from 2006/07 to 2008/09 and then again last season.

Preston Lodge captain Blair Cowan said: “Those two years when we were relegated were really tough for all connected with the club and people started to lose heart. “However, president Shona Brash is definitely a positive and pro-active person and we have worked hard at rebuilding the club from the colts team up the way.

“Coaches Mark Steedman and Craig McGeary have also come in and made a big difference and the guys are really enjoying their rugby at the moment.”

As well as the first XV, the club are putting out a second and third XV this term as well as a colts and it is interesting to note that four of the colts from last season – Paul Glynn, Blair Robertson, Darren Eales and Raymond Mackie – played in the big match at Duns.

Twenty-eight-year-old second-row Cowan added: “Our good form this season has seen a lot of former players and such like coming back down to support us and I just hope we can keep the good times going.”

At Grangemouth upgraded facilities and a new positive outlook have seen things go from strength-to-strength in the last few months. As well as winning the Bowl on Saturday, they have won 12 from 12 to lead RBS Caledonia Two Midlands and have the National Bowl to look forward to. With the club struggling badly at one point, director of rugby Gordon Crossan and the committee kick-started the revival with numerous local youngsters now having been given a chance in the first team over the last few months.