Dundee High Bounce Back to Premier 1

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On Saturday 14th March 2009 at Mayfield, Richie Hawkins captained Dundee High to the Premier Leagues Division 2 title with a win over closest challengers Stewarts Melville. Promotion had been secured the previous weekend in the Hartreemill mud against Biggar, but this win in front of our home crowd ignited the real celebrations. Returning to Premier 1 as Champions of Premier 2 for the second time was a massive achievement.

Shannon Wilson and Alan Clark had joined the coaching set-up during pre-season and Head Coach Ian Rankin's new team were instantly faced with a challenge. Despite the best efforts of the club, the season started at the end of August with Dundee High short of depth in the front row. The arrival of New Zealander Paul Scannell and form of Ben Fulton alleviated the pressure and they packed down alongside front row colleagues Alan Brown and Neil Dymock to become key members of a pack that took on all-comers in the league. However the front row crisis lurked in the shadows throughout the season and the club spirit shown by recent 1st XV retirees Kenny Watt, Colin Whittaker and Nicky Grant proved invaluable on several occasions.

Jed-Forest at Mayfield got the campaign off to a winning start before a shock at Haddington served to remind us how competitive this league was going to be.

Three wins in September's remaining games took Dundee to the top of the league but a tendency to leak scores hinted that there was still work to do. October's games did nothing to dispel those concerns and the narrowest of escapes against Musselburgh heralded a second league defeat, this time at Stewarts Melville.

However Dundee were ironing out mistakes and raising the bar in training and those improvements soon started to filter onto the pitch. Undefeated through November and December despite season ending injuries to Harry Duthie and Allan Hay, Dundee High recorded hard earned away wins against Jed, Gala and in a battle royal at the Gytes, Peebles.

Key moment: Peebles v Dundee High on the 20th of December 2008. The last game of the year against Peebles who were defending a 16 month unbeaten home run. Dundee found themselves 10 points down with 13 men on the park and defending furiously in their 22. Cammy Ferguson's hack out of defence and dribbling skills to score turned the game and Dundee went on to a famous victory.

2009 carried on where 2008 had left off and there was now a palpable sense at the club that promotion was within our grasp. That realisation manifested a belligerent refusal to accept failure. Epitomised by the quiet determination of players such as Chris Cumming, Stephan Dreyer and Neil Dymock amongst others, there was an iron clad resolve that this chance would not be allowed to slip.

Stephan, alongside back row regulars George Oommen and Danny Levison were the best breakaway unit in the league while the Mayfield faithful were enjoying the try-scoring ebullience of Aubrey Horton and Ross Lemon. Cammy Ferguson was hitting a rich vein of form at 10 and Andy Dymock was proving to be one of the most dangerous runners in the division as he warmed to the unfamiliar role of winger.

Home wins against GHA and Musselburgh were interspersed with weather enforced postponements and cup games leading to an opportunity to secure promotion at Biggar on 7th March 2009.

Key moment: Biggar v Dundee High on the 7th of March 2009. Traditionally a hard venue for Dundee High in previous seasons, this visit was no different. Great hands from Aubrey and Andy in difficult conditions provided the ball for Stephan Dreyer to score the only try in a tough game and take Dundee High back to Premier 1.

Next in Dundee High's sights was the Division 2 title and the first opportunity came the very next weekend in the shape of Stewarts Melville at Mayfield.

Key moment:Dundee High v Stewarts Melville on the 14th of March 2009. Revenge for the reverse at Inverleith earlier in the season was accomplished with 4 tries to claim the Premier League Div 2 title at the first opportunity.

Dundee retained their focus remaining undefeated in the league in 2009 and once again the season's journey was captured by Dundee High Rugby Club Photographer, Richie Laurent's trusty camera and the results can be seen on his Flickr site.

Strength

Injury and unavailability meant that the 2nd XV were plundered regularly to provide cover throughout the season, particularly in April and May. As a result Dundee High remained undefeated in Premier 2 for 2009 with James Hogg, Mike Brown, Stuart Barlow, Dave Sutherland and Robin Cessford earning their 1st XV ties. The strength in depth that came from the 2nd XV this season is testament to the coaching of Tom Dymock and Rob Lunn.

Winning crucial games suchs as Jed, Peebles and Biggar away showed the strength of character that has grown over the last few seasons as the core of this squad has developed together. In seasons past such games could easily have been lost.

There is also a strong sense of camaraderie within the club and that as much as anything has allowed Dundee High to achieve the season's goal with room to spare.

 Support

This season's success could not have happened without the outstanding support that puts Dundee High players on the pitch each weekend. From the generous contributions from our sponsors, particularly this season's primary sponsor Masstock Smart Farming, to individual player sponsors and members of the 500 club, it all makes a difference and without it Dundee High Rugby could not operate at this level.

Our club membership is also hugely important and next season there are new initiatives such as the Gold Club and Friends of Dundee High Rugby to encourage supporters to help maintain Dundee High Rugby's status at the top of the game in Scotland. Please support us by continuing to be or becoming a member of Dundee High Rugby and being part of an innovative and ambitious club.

Thanks also to the medical support team and the battalion of volunteers who work largely unseen behind the scenes and without whom none of this could happen. We are always looking for help so if you feel you could assist in any way next season, please let us know.

Finally, as ever our thanks go to the High School, Dundee for use of pitches, facilities and staff.

 Looking Ahead

We can look forward to next season with Ian Rankin back at the helm in an enhanced role at the club that extends to Director of Rugby as anticipated personnel changes over the summer bring fresh challenges for season 2009/2010.

Rugby in the North and Midlands has never been healthier with nine teams in the Premier Leagues for season 2009/2010. Dundee High are at the vanguard of that group and will ensure nothing is left undone to consolidate our position in the top flight. Mayfield can look forward to hosting the biggest names in the club game next season and we want everyone who supports Dundee High Rugby to enjoy watching them. Please show your support in the best possible way - from the touchlines - and make Mayfield your first choice on Saturday afternoons for every home game next season.

The Players

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