GREENOCK Wanderers' pre-season preparations continue as they host Hillhead's 1st and 2nd XVs at Fort Matilda this Saturday, writes John Dyer.

Hills play a league above Wanderers and will provide another stiff test after last week's game with Cartha from which Wanderers took a number of plus points especially in the forwards where they dominated in the scrum.

The backs produced their best performance to date until Harrison at stand off left the field as a precaution in the second half.

It was not all good however and the coaches have been working on areas that need improvement. The competition for places in both home teams will give head coach Mitchell a hard job to gel a side capable of staying in National Division 4.

The talent is available it is just a task to have a settled side in time for the first league match at Dunfermline on September 7.

Wanderers only have one further match before then, against GHK at home,which will raise the level even further.

Wanderers are also hopeful of fielding a 3rd XV this season under the watchful eyes of club stalwarts and coaches George Hunter and Kenny Lang.

Elsewhere at Fort Matilda on Saturday, Wee Wandies are at 10am and the U18s are away to Dalziel with a 12 noon kick-off.

Sunday sees the micros and minis at Fort Matilda, both at 10.30am, as well as a variety of youth games and training sessions.

The U13 boys are away to Ardrossan (KO 2pm), the U14 boys are away to GHA (KO 1pm), the U15 boys train at Battery Park at 11.30am and the U16 girls train at Bishopton (time TBC), while the U16 boys are away to Kilmarnock (KO 2pm).

The women's 1st XV face Hillhead at Fort Matilda, and the second XV are away to Marr, with both games kicking off at 2pm.

Wanderers are sponsored by MMSEARCH; the ladies' sponsors are Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.