CARNOUSTIE RUGBY Club’s hopes of escaping relegation appeared to have been reduced to ashes when their strips went up in flames in a launderette blaze in the Angus town.
It looked likely that the RBS Caledonia Midlands League who sit ninth side would have to call off this weekend’s crunch clash against Kinross after a plea for help for replacement jerseys proved unsuccessful.
But one of Scotland’s professional outfits, Edinburgh Rugby, have answered their SOS and have donated two sets of strips to ensure Carnoustie’s 1st and 2nd XV fixtures can go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.
Club president Chris Ayres said: “This weekend’s match against Kinross is massive in terms of our league survival but none of the big clubs in the area had anything they could offer, which was when I turned to Edinburgh Rugby, who have since donated two full sets of their professional playing jerseys.
“The result is that both our teams will be able to play as normal for the next couple of months, while we complete our insurance claim and then order new sets of strips.
“We’re really grateful. It’s fantastic that they’ve been able to react so quickly and are delighted that, despite the loss, our attempts to stay in the division will go uninterrupted.”
Edinburgh Rugby have donated around 50 playing jerseys from the 2010/11 season, meaning that Carnoustie will relinquish their traditional black and red for their platinum replacements.
The pro team captain Greig Laidlaw presented the kit to Ayres at Murrayfield Stadium.
He said: “Edinburgh Rugby is the east of Scotland’s rugby club and our players have the honour of representing the regions of the east every time they take to the field to tackle the top teams in Europe.
“We get great support from these clubs week in, week out so it’s important we play our part and give something back.
“All the best to Carnoustie this Saturday. Hopefully, after the bad news from the weekend, they’ll get some luck on the road in the match.”
nrobertson@thecourier.co.uk