Cartha QP 21 GHA 35

GHA fought back from an ealry deficit to score 5 tries in an important win against local rivals Cartha QP as they remained in the title race with only 3 games to play. GHA's tries were scored by Hefin O'hare (2), Ian Nelson, Ross McClymont and Craig Sorbie.

Watch the video for match highlights from Saturday's game along with highlights from last weeks win over Haddington.

Former GHA prop Jon Welsh who was signed to the Glasgow Warriors from GHA in 2008 has realised his dream of playing for his country after winning his first cap in extraordinary circumstances in front of 76,000 people against Italy on Saturday at Rome's famous Olympic Stadium.

Jon was with the squad as the "25th man", required to help out in the warm up and preparation but not part of the match squad. However, Scotland's loose head prop Alan Jacobsen rolled his ankle in the pre-match warm-up and after working with the physios to get it strapped for playing, he eventually had to pull out of the game only seconds before kick off. With no loosehead prop selected on the bench, Jon was given the number 1 shirt and in a fit of emotion at the unfolding events, the next thing he knew he was proudly standing centre stage with his team mates as Olympic Stadium rumbled with the noise of thousands of travelling Scotsman, belting out Flower of Scotland.

A proud moment for Jon and a proud moment for GHA as Jon becomes our first full cap since the amalgamation, having joined the club from Whitecraigs as a 17 year old and gone on to play 3 full seasons in the First XV - developing into one of the best young props in Scottish club rugby, despite not having made any national age grade sides.

Jon Welsh has accepted our invitation to attend the club dinner on Saturday March 31st as our guest of honour and we hope as many club members as possible are able to attend the dinner so that we can celebrate Jon's fantastic achievement.

The Club Dinner will take place on Saturday 31st March.

We have some fantastic after dinner speakers lined up this year. Please let Claire know if you plan to attend and how many will be in your party by emailing gharfc@btconnect.com

Time: 7 for 730pm
Dress Code: Any Formal Attire
Price: £30 per head
Location: Braidholm

GHA make the short trip to Cartha QP for the Southside Derby this Saturday. Experienced forward Ian Nelson comes in for Donald Malcolm at Hooker who is out with a knee injury and Niall Cassie makes his first start of the season at Blindside Flanker in place of the absent Dominic Kellock. Kick Off at Dumbreck is 3pm.

This weekend, GHA make the short trip to Dumbreck for the second instalment of the South Glasgow derby against Cartha QP.  Both teams enjoyed a week off last Saturday meaning both go into this match refreshed and eager to get one over their old rivals. On the injury front, Donald Malcolm is out with a knee injury and Alan Auld is struggling with an ankle injury. Back in contention for a starting berth are Andrew Gilman and Niall Cassie who have both played well for the 2nds in recent weeks after coming back from long term injury.

From a GHA perspective, this is a must win game if we are to have any hope of challenging Howe of Fife for the league title. Howe have the initiative going ino this Saturday's fixtures with a two point lead at the top of the table and a game in hand over GHA. However, Howe and GHA will finish the seasn with a double header meaning that GHA can overcome their current deficit by winning out (let's not go into bonus point permtuations as that's where things get complicated!). But suffice to say, GHA must win their two upcoming fixtures before then, starting with this Saturday's derby match at Cartha followed by an away trip to Perthshire next weekend.

With the 2nd XV playing Glasgow Hawks at Anniesland on Friday night, we hope to bring a large support to Dumbreck on Saturday. So get the war paint on and come along and support the boys. Kick Off is 3pm.