The big day finally arrives.

Boroughmuir Bears v Stirling County RFC at Meggatland. This was the very first game in the long awaited FOSROC Super 6 tournament - a new and separate competition within Scottish Rugby’s competition structure. I went along to the game with our younger son; it was a high tempo affair at times and Stirling stole it in the last minutes. First cold game of winter, steam rising off the players, frost on the park. Duvet jacket, hat etc and -2c by the time he dropped me off.

Both our sons were County boys in the past, and the club played a big part in our family life for circa 10 years. It was nice to see some of their peer group play for the club this evening. Various friends from coaching activities, university and club rugby were present too.

Six clubs contest the new league; each has entered into a contract for 5 years and there will be no relegation in that period. There’s been controversy as no team from Glasgow was selected by SRU when the league was established. The teams are semi-pro, and the Super 6 becomes the new top tier of domestic rugby in Scotland - essentially they bridge a gap between the amateur Scottish Premiership and professional Pro14 Edinburgh and Glasgow teams. Super 6 aims to develop Scottish players, coaches and match officials, and also to feed talent into the full-time professional game. The Super 6 clubs have a squad budget of £125,000 each and every team has a 35 man squad. The set up has had many critics, but let’s wait and see where it gets to.

We were a bit later in leaving for the game than originally planned - I was driver for a friend needing urgent treatment at our local surgery. Two same day appointments and a free prescription dispensed by 6pm. Excellent.