Sad News
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Alan Rose, former President and Coach of Crieff & Strathearn Rugby Club passed away today, 13th May 2013. A tragic loss to all, including all of those friends, members and players at Braidhaugh. Our thoughts go to Alan's family.
The Big Man will be sorely missed.
God Bless.
Duncan Murchie - President
Message about Alan from his friend Colin Mayall....
Alan MacKintosh Rose ( 06/09/1953- 13/05/2013 )
Alan was born in Inverness son of a serving police officer . His physical attributes saw him become an integral part of that great Highland RFC team of the 1980s which galloped up the League Tables in a short time . Capped for North and Midlands he played in some good rugby company including amongst others Crieff educated Nairn McEwen . Alan moved to Edinburgh when he married Vida in 1980 and joined a quality Heriots team which had amongst others players of the quality of Andy Irvine , Jock Millican and the Milne brothers . Alan completed his senior career with another rapidly improving team when he joined Haddington RFC .
I knew Alan in a rugby and indeed personal capacity for many years . I recall with pleasure joining him in his wee office adjoining his delightful home at Glentarf Comrie . Essentially a modest man big Alan would take delight in recalling the tales behind the pictures of his rugby days that adorned the wall at the door .
Alan was essentially a doer. He got things done despite perhaps ruffling a few feathers along the way . It was big Alan who got the floodlighting system on ebay from an English non League football team and arranged their pick up and delivery to Crieff .
After he was diagnosed last year with a brain tumour he showed typical resilience heading abroad for a holiday and , not being allowed to drive , promptly bought a bike and cycled hither and thither ! Incredibly although still under treatment he and Aynsley travelled to Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup .
Alan Rose was a man who did so much for our Club and leaves a loving family in Vida , Aynsley and Sam . Remembered and much missed by so many .
COMEDY NIGHT
run by the
JUST LAUGH COMEDY CLUB
Friday 17th May at the club.
9pm start. Bar open 7.30pm.
£12 per ticket (70 max) from Pierre, Drew and Kevin Guntley. No reserved seats (first come, first insulted..)
Sinbad and his Princesses...
Loch Earn Boat Race 2013
Annual 7s Tournament Saturday 27th April
With some superb rugby the Crieff Sevens was a spectacular success with a great weekend had by all (report to follow)
Crieff Rugby hits the highs in a fantastic end to the season as League Champions
This weekend saw a flurry of activity as the season came to a close. In the final game of the season the Blue and Golds travelled to Dundee to play Stobswell. Coach Alan Webster had a full squad to choose from and team spirit was high, knowing that a win would clinch Champions of the league.So in blustery conditions skipper Cammy Kennedy won the toss and opted to play down the slope with the wind at their backs. With some early pressure from the visitors a quick three points were notched up from a penalty by Gavin Tainsh. The wind was again put to use with a high punt and the Stobswell full back fumbled the catch to allow David Murdoch to snatch the first try of the day. Try's followed from the tenacious Rod Wilson and a cracker of a try by Gavin Tainsh. Andrew Riddell surged forward and managed to off load to Tainsh who scored between the posts. Half time Stobswell 0- 22 Crieff and Strathearn. Second half and roles were reversed with Stobswell taking advantage of the weather conditions but not before Ross Johnston took a pass and sneaked in on the blind side of a scrum to score directly after the re-start. Stobswell to their credit worked away and put the visitors under pressure. They scored two well worked tries to make the final score Stobswell 14 - 27 Crieff and Strathearn. So, the Blues and Golds remain undefeated in 2013 and Alan Webster has done a great job moulding a generally young squad into a winning team. Next season will produce new challenges, none more so than sourcing a new prop to replace the flamboyant but occasionally petulant Pierre Leger who has decided to hang up his boots.
Sunday Fixtures go well for Crieff S1/2's.
On Sunday, Crieff S1/S2s travelled to local rivals Perthshire to play their scheduled match. Crieff S1/S2s put on a determined performance to come out on top with a great win 5 tries to 3.
Crieff Under 16's storm to Victory
Crieff U16s storm to a convincing win Caledonia Plate - 2nd year in succession!
Following the S1/S2s game, the Crieff U16 squad took to the field to plate the Caledonia Plate final against Strathmore on the Perthshire pitches as a neutral location. The game was fascinating to watch with both sides showing some initial nerves, tries coming in fast and furious. Both teams showed great spirit but centre Robert Pryde was outstanding, troubling the entire Strathmore defence and running in 3 tries. Full back Graham McGarey and his jinky runs, coupled with perfectly timed hand off lead to three tries before half time. All of the players really dug deep. Mark Caskie fronting up to the other forwards, Findlay Watson playing the game of his season on the wing with some great breaks and Captain sandy Fraser leading by example and taking the play to the opposition. Half time saw Crieff leading with the narrow margin of 26 points to 22.
The second half saw Crieff secure their lead and step up the ante with superb handling amongst the backs division. The passing was a credit to the team and the team play and off-loads made the difference between the two teams. The Second half saw further tries by Connaboy, Murchie, Grieve and McGarey. The final score 58 to 34 to Crieff. This convincing win was a credit to the Crieff squad. Crieff would like to thank the referee and touch judges, Bill Berry, Eric Titterington and Derek Burn for their adjudicating which helped the game flow.
The Mini's are mighty!
Minis do us proud - the future is bright, the future is Blue and Gold!
Crieff Minis P4 to P7 were away to Dunfermline for a tournament. P4 team were undefeated but came in runners up for the tournament, based on try count. The P7 squad also played some great rugby.
Overall, a fabulous weekend for Crieff and a real credit to the kids, senior players and the coaches who have enjoyed their rugby from Braidhaugh all season. Great stuff everybody and we look forward to seeing everybody each Wednesday throughout the summer for some fun and training, following our last events this weekend with the Senior 7s on Saturday 27th and the Minis tournament on Sunday the 28th.
And finally...
Well done Stuart Guntley for doing the write ups and taking on the role of Development Officer - you are doing a grand job!
40th Anniversary Celebration success!
Crieff delighted to welcome new roles....
Crieff & Strathearn is very pleased to announce that it is renewing it's partnership agreement with Perth & Kinross Council and Scottish Rugby to fund the Rugby Development Officer post to develop rugby within our community. Previous Rugby Development Officer Peter Cook said, "Apart from the obvious goals of increasing the participation, quality of experience with rugby and opportunity for people of all ages to participate within the sport of rugby - rugby can offer so much more in terms of contributing to peoples' education, fitting in well with the curriculum for excellence within both curricular and extra curricular programmes. Because of Rugby's strong ethos of fair play, rugby can contribute to helping develop young peoples' social skills as well as contributing to their health and well being- through participation in sport and the healthier lifestyle that follows."
President, Duncan Murchie said, "The Rugby Club are delighted to announce that following a formal recruitment process supported by the Community Campus the SRU and the Rugby Club, we have taken the decision to employ young local player, Stuart Guntley who will have the opportunity to develop a career pathway in sports development. I am sure his local knowledge passion for rugby and the enthusiasm for his own club will contribute to him continuing to develop the club as a central point of the local sporting community within Strathearn."
The Rugby Development Officer will help to deliver rugby to the following schools:
Secondary- Crieff High School, The Community School of Auchterarder, Morrison's Academy
Primary- Greenloaning, Muthill, Comrie, St Dominic's, Crieff, Madderty, The Community School of Auchterarder, Aberuthven, Dunning, Blackford, Braco.
Also photographed is Yvonne Ward, Crieff and Strathearn's new Child Protection Officer. Yvonne has kindly volunteered to take over in this important role and forms a key addition to the team working to keep the club functioning strongly. The committee are delight to welcome Yvonne to the team.