They were named top club for January by league sponsors Scottish Hydro Electric earlier this week in what head coach John Beattie said was a proud time for them because they had achieved their recent success using local players.

Beattie, who has led the team to the top of the Second Division since taking over in 2005, said: "We are all very proud and it is great that we are doing what we are doing with no imports and mostly from people in the area."

The club will receive £500 and a certificate to be presented next week at the club's Burnbrae ground.

Beattie, paying tribute to the Burnbrae lads, added: "It's all about having a bunch of boys who are playing rugby and having fun."
He singled out one particular player, hooker Gordon Bulloch, for special tribute, saying: "Having him playing has made a great difference."

Vibrant

Bulloch, the former Scotland and Glasgow captain, said: "West are a vibrant club and very welcoming and that's important, when, like me, you have a young family.

"I've enjoyed some great times through rugby and although it sounds a cliché, it's great to give something back to the club that I first played for in the 1990s."

West of Scotland, one of the founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union, are currently undergoing a renaissance. They have had seen something of an explosion of interest from youngsters in their catchment area around Milngavie and Bearsden. And at grass roots level the club's mini, midi and youth sections have mushroomed to some 250 playing members.

The award recognises as much the club's commitment to promoting the game among these younger players as their success on the field.

Graham Law, head of media at the Scottish Rugby Union based at Murrayfield Stadium, said: "At first XV level they are able to tap into the vast international experience of three men who have served Scotland and the British and Irish Lions during distinguished rugby careers – coaches John Beattie and David McLean and irrepressible hooker Gordon Bulloch."

During January, West won all three of their games to cement their position at the top of SHE Premiership Division 2, beating Aberdeen Grammar and fellow promotion challengers, Biggar and Hamilton.

West's discipline has also been good all season and no player has been sent off, with only one yellow card in January.

Their second XV posted away wins against Dunfermline and GHA in January and are currently sitting top of their league with a very healthy points differential and their third XV, playing the same open brand of rugby, are third in their league but with three games in hand.

At youth level, West's S1 team have a 100 per cent record with 16 wins out of 16 while their under-15s, under-16s and under-17s are all still vying for honours in the Glasgow Cup competitions.