Currie and Selkirk offer appetiser for fans

Published on Thursday 12 November 2009 21:48

RUGBY fans keen to overload on sporting action this weekend have a couple of chances to get an early fix this evening by heading to Malleny Park to see SHE Premier One league leaders Currie get the title challenge back on track against Heriot's (kick-off 7.30pm), or by going to Philiphaugh where Selkirk host Edinburgh Academicals (8pm).

The game in Selkirk has been brought forward so BBC Scotland can broadcast a live radio commentary as part of a concerted campaign being driven by the Premier One Forum to increase the profile of the club game.

Meanwhile, rather than play an early kick-off tomorrow to avoid clashing with the Scotland versus Fiji game, Currie are hoping that playing under the lights tonight will prove to be as popular an attraction this time as it was four weeks ago when they defeated Edinburgh Accies in front of a bumper crowd.

Currie's hopes of going through the first half of the season unbeaten were dashed at the final hurdle last week, when last season's champions Ayr defeated them 21-7 at Millbrae. The loss of stand-off Andrew Binikos with a broken ankle after only 20 minutes was a major blow to the Balerno outfit, not only in terms of that game but also their title aspirations.

They welcome teenager Matthew Scott back to that pivotal position this evening, after a couple of weeks out with a foot infection, and are hoping that the game management skills which have seen him emerge as a leading contender for the Scotland under-20s team this season will bring a return to winning ways.

Heriot's coach Bob McKillop has not had his problems to seek, with injuries decimating his squad. After two defeats on the bounce, this match is his team's last chance to gain momentum before they make their British and Irish Cup debut against Nottingham next Saturday.

"The players were very disappointed to lose at home to West last week," said McKillop. "As a squad we are aware that we need to show more composure and patience when we have the opposition under pressure," he added, resisting the urge to bemoan the rotten luck which has deprived him of such game-breakers as Rory Hutton and youngster Stuart Hogg."

Meanwhile, Alex Blair drops to the replacements bench for Accies' trip to Selkirk.