Broughton Coach Doug McClure hopes his side can beat the weather – and Royal Dick Vet College – to reignite the fire in their rugby bellies after a frustrating period of inactivity.

Saturday’s outing is set to be Broughton’s first in the East Regional League 3 since 25th October when they defeated Bo’ness on the road. The only action since has been in the pulsating East Region Bowl semi against Ross High however McClure is confident his side have remained focussed throughout the winter shutdown.

“The guys have been training hard throughout – even in the snowstorm at Wardie on Tuesday - and our game-based sessions have been keeping the lads on their toes. Naturally we’d prefer to be playing however that’s been taken out our hands by the weather gods for some time now!”

The Students are back for their latest semester and will be keen to record a victory as they attempt to claw back the deficit at the foot of the table. With availability a perennial concern so soon after a term break, it’s difficult to predict the composition of the side McClure’s men are likely to face.

The Broughton Coach’s focus however is rightly on his own side ahead of the 2pm kick-off at Peffermill, “I’m not worried or bothered about what team the Vets can put out. As long as my players maintain their high standards and play to their potential then we will be ok. It’s only when our guys lower the standard and look at it as an ‘easy game’, that the opposition could potentially cause us a threat.”

The sides have yet to meet this season after their opening fixture was postponed twice – the first due to the Students being unable to field a side then a frozen pitch forcing the rescheduled game on the 20th December to be postponed at a late stage.

In the other East 3 game scheduled to take place, Queensferry play host to current League Leaders Ross High.

Will McClure be hunting out his lucky Ferry charm? “I can’t see this going any other way than to form however I do wish them luck and hope that they can pull something special out the bag and upset our closest title challengers!”

The match takes place at Peffermill Playing Fields with a 2pm KO. There will be a pitch inspection early AM.