Islay rugby event

Jun 25 2008 by Susan Bryden, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

ON A weekend when the eyes of the sporting world were focussed on smaller events in Europe, the Southern Hemisphere and the USA, those in the know were heading for the Inner Hebrides to savour the excitement and hospitality that epitomises the Islay event.

Billed as ‘The World’s Original Beach Rugby Tournament’ this event, like the island’s other premium product, improves with age.

Each year Islay Rugby Club expand and enhance the format and this year was no exception.

Advertised by the slogan Eat Sand 08, the event lived up to its title as many a player will testify!

Two pitches grew to three and the combatants expanded to comprise 20 men’s teams and six ladies’ teams.

An increase in the number of sponsors also helped the day along while the weather gods smiled on the tournament once more to provide a day uninterrupted by the traditional Scottish rain.

Moffat Rams arrived with the biggest squad to date as the legend of the Islay weekend spreads.

Crammed into two vintage Land Rovers, they arrived at Port Ellen via the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and the Rest and Be Thankful.

Camp was set up and various members of the squad immediately rendered themselves unfit for selection with an over-zealous hydration programme.

While the players concentrated on prematch preparations, ex-president Gus Campbell, along with the former first lady, was wined and dined by the Islay glitterati to ensure his battle with malnutrition was well and truly won!

Saturday saw the draw placing the Rams in the proverbial ‘group of death’ alongside Cartha, Borders, Glasgow Accies and Oban Lorne.

Somewhat predictably, therefore, the Rams’ exit strategy came to fruition earlier than previous years and the players, with the exception of captain Kenny Carter, were free to watch the rest of the tournament from a more leisurely viewpoint.

The Rams’ captain, meanwhile, provided a challenge for the Islay medical team who were tasked with removing a rather large and sandy big toe-nail!

The eventual winners were a team representing Lagavulin – worthy winners indeed in a contest sporting teams from as far apart as Ulster, Moffat, Oban and Strathendrick, not to forget the legions of local sides such as Islay, Ardbeg, and including the Army.

Keen observers would also have spotted a couple of rugby celebs in the form of Rob Wainwright and Gregor Townsend, while the SRU added its seal of approval with the Calcutta Cup on display for the day.

From a Moffat point of view the verdict would be; could do better.

However, a tenuous link to glory was the appearance in the ladies final of Moffat’s Celia Hawthorn who, along with all the other ladies participating, showed that the game is flourishing in the hands of the fairer sex.

Monday saw the Rams herded onto the ferry under the watchful eyes of Andy Wiggins and Donnie McNeil, keen to ensure no stragglers were left to endure more hospitality.

All that remains is to thank the organisers of this most prestigious of events for their invitation and to confirm the rams’ desire to Eat Sand in 2009 – if selected.