The Hooker

One name which Boroughmuir fans have become accustomed to seeing on the team sheet is that of David Cunningham. The hooker has been at the club since joining from Haddington seven years ago.

"Cunsie" as he is known by most around the club, believes that Boroughmuir can have another successful year, "If we keep our feet on the ground and don't get cocky then we do have a chance of winning the League, and I believe we can retain the Cup". 

Cunningham is still realistic about the challenges presented by First Division rugby. "It's very different from last year, there's much more pressure and we're not going into games knowing that we're going to win". He has also noticed a big difference in the physical side of the game, "Both forwards and backs are much bigger and more skillful this year, the games are much faster as well".

Cunsie is still ambitious on a personal level, having played for Edinburgh before, he is eager to sample representative rugby again. "It's getting a bit late, I've just turned 27, and I think the Reivers is out of the door now, but there's still the non-professional district set up and that's what I've got to aim for". The hooker is adamant though that he has a lot left to achieve in the Scottish club game. "I want to win the 1st Division and repeat last season's Cup success with Boroughmuir".

On his own game, Cunningham believes he's getting better all the time, "I think my strengths are my ability about the park. I'm a pretty good ball player and I've always been fine hooking wise. On the other hand I'm a bit light for a hooker, only 14 st and I've been criticised for my throwing, but that's been a lot better this year".

The state of the Scottish club game is also encouraging in the eyes of Cunningham, "Although it's not as good as when I first joined, there were crowds of 4000-5000 and games were televised, but especially this season I've really noticed an improvement". He hasn't only been impressed by the team's performance this year, "The coaches are good. Being a forward you don't have too much to do with Sean, it's more Iain. He's a very good coach, he's got the respect of the players and he can be hard when he needs to be".

"My favourite player to play with at Boroughmuir would have to be Olo Brown. He's always first to the breakdown so if you stick by him you're guaranteed to see a lot of the ball".

Cunningham has seen his fair share of representative rugby, "I've played for Scotland at Under18, Under 19 and Under 21 levels. I played for Edinburgh before the became the Reivers and I've just recently been selected for a British Police tour of Australia, New Zealand, and Bali".

Trying to juggle both Police duties and playing rugby is "a nightmare" for Cunningham and when on night shift he sometimes needs to play after only a few hours sleep. The club know that he will always compensate by running or visiting the gym if he has to miss training because of work commitments and the Police are "very good" at giving him the time to play.

David Cunningham has been an important part of the Boroughmuir side in the last few years, playing a particularly crucial role in the success of last year. He should be playing just as important a part in any future success the club has for several years to come.

Simon Furnivall