An SRU spokesman said: "Gordon Simpson will not be permitted to play for Aberdeen GSFP. He was absent from the pro player allocation process because he was injured and, under the drafting protocol, the next club in line to choose a player were Melrose." Simpson will undergo an operation on a shoulder in the next fortnight but was keen maintain match fitness by playing for Aberdeen GSFP.
In the first weekend of the new Integrated Tournament only the clash between Glasgow Hawks and Melrose beat the weather. The match was transfered to New Anniesland to beat the frost. Unfortunately the Melrose bus got caught in the traffic jam on the M8 caused by the Peace March and that probably explains why they were 35 points down in 35 minutes with Hawks eventually running out 57-26 winners. Warriors Ian McInroy, Andy Kelly and Kenny Sinclair all played with McInroy grabbing two tries.