The New Year kicked off in fantastic fashion with the 1st XV beating our closest league rivals, Uddingston, with a 19-29 Bonus Point away win. Sadly our last two matches have been postponed which is disappointing given our form. We are now facing the winter months with the shorter daylight hours and occasional frozen pitches but it does mean that we have the Six Nations to look forward to. With both Scottish Pro 12 sides doing well in Europe we have good reason to be optimistic about Scotland’s chances this year. But don’t we always ....

We are also looking ahead to the Spring so in this edition of The Snipe we are focussing on touring – one of the best activities in terms of fun, friendship and endeavour that any Club can enter into ....

Iain Somerville – featured as last month’s Local Hero - reminds us that, quite apart from his other credits, he served as Strathendrick 2nd XV skipper for 8 years! An onerous task and some achievement: well done Iain. Local Hero is taking a break this month but it will be back next time: if there is anyone you wish to nominate please e-mail nick.hawkins01@btinternet in confidence (as we like to surprise our victims!).

WHAT’S GOING ON?

FEBRUARY 2017

Tues and Thurs 19.00 Seniors training
Mon and Thur U16 training
Thur S1 and S2 training
Thursday 18.30 P5 – P7 training

Sat 4 Feb Scotland vs Ireland
Sat 4 Feb S1, S2, U16 vs Glasgow High School (H)
Sun 5 Feb Minis vs Falkirk and EK (H)

Sat 11 Feb Midis: Half Term
Sat 11 Feb 1st XV: lanark (A) West Bowl semi-final
Sun 12 Feb Minis vs Lomond (A)
Sun 12 Feb France vs Scotland

Sat 18 Feb Midis: Half Term
Sat 18 Feb 1st XV vs Moffat (A)
Sun 19 Feb Minis vs Waysiders (A)
Wed 22 Feb S1, S2, U16 vs Morrison’s Academy (H)

Sat 25 Feb Scotland vs Wales
Sun 26 Feb S1, S2 vs Grangemouth Stags (H)
Sun 26 Feb Minis vs Lenzie, GHA, Helensburgh, Mclaren, Linlithgow (H)

RUGBY TOURING
Is just the best fun! On tour people make life-long friendships: with Club mates and with hosts; players train and perform to a level they never anticipated; which leads to bonding and team spirit like no other means. And the laughs .... this is where Club mythology is made ..... Coming up in the next few months:

SENIORS: a joint Strathendrick / RSPB squad (players and supporters) are continuing the brilliant tradition of visiting Islay, 17 – 19 March: a good game, the odd dram, great hospitality, Super Saturday (and fancy dress!)

On w/e 25th July is the Colonsay 10s: a fantastic pre-season tournament. Again, all players and supporters are welcome.

Would anyone like to help organise a future Seniors tour? Where should we go? And when is best? Please contact nick.hawkins01@btinternet.com re: any of the above

MINIS: the P6s and P7s are also visiting Islay on 12 – 14 May to play Beach Rugby on the Saturday and a Tournament on the Sunday. Further information to follow.

MIDIS: the S1/2 s are planning a tour to France – further details in next month’s Snipe

U18 AUTUMN TOUR TO ITALY: the 2017-18 Boys and Girls U18 squads are going on a 4 day tour of Italy!

They will play two matches in the Venice / Treviso area, enjoy coaching by former Italy Captain Marco Bortalami (now Treviso Coach) and Carlo Del Fav and watch a Guinness Pro12 match at Benetton Treviso! Fantastic!
Further information is available from jeremy@talentstrengths.com

SOCIAL
Steph, our Social Secretary, is planning our Club Dinner Dance – the date and details will be announced very shortly – watch this space!

The Club AGM, President’s Match and Annual Dinner will now be on Saturday 13th May: please put it in your diary