Roll up, roll up for rugby feast, urges Aitchison

Published on Friday 3 October 2008 09:46

WATSONIANS coach Bruce Aitchison is urging Capital rugby fans in search of an afternoon's ENtertainment to head for tomorrow's Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership match against near neighbours Boroughmuir at Myreside(kick off 3pm).

Looking ahead to a clash between two sides committed to open rugby, he said: "If I had 10 to spend to watch a game of rugby, I would come and watch this one."

Around 1500 spectators witnessed his side's loss at Selkirk last Saturday, and Aitchison would love to see a healthy turn out on his home patch, insisting it will help his men to raise their game.

"It was like Selkirk having an extra man and our players certainly enjoyed the atmosphere," he added.

'Sonians will be looking to erase the memory of a second defeat of the season and get their title bid back on track.

"I feel we have a lot more to offer and we are just struggling for consistency," said Aitchison, in assessing his side's mixed form so far. "I know we are capable of better but I also know that, in this league, if other teams have a good day and we don't we will get turned over."

The home side move Richard Minto to centre in place of Ben Di Rollo and bring Tupo Saena into the starting XV, while Sam Paulo is named in the back row in place of Andrew Tweed who displaces Jeff Nicholson at lock.

'Muir have delayed naming a side, as they await the result of late fitness tests on several players and, having lost the corresponding fixture last season, the men from the other side of Colinton Road will be keen to make amends.

Team manager Ally McLean said: "We hope to be at full strength, but there are a couple of wee niggles."

Like the home side, 'Muir have not yet struck top form and the focus will be on eliminating the basic errors that littered the win over Hawick last time out. "It's a derby and we know Watsonians will be looking to bounce back, so it should be good," added McLean. "The main thing that we were guilty of last week was chucking the ball away. The guys know that is not acceptable. They will be focusing on looking after the ball and producing a good performance."

Across the city, Heriot's bid to bounce back from a loss at West of Scotland when they welcome Selkirk to Goldenacre.

Assistant coach George Breckenridge has been impressed by the Borderers and expects a tough encounter. "They have done exceptionally well since they came up to the Premiership and the thing that is apparent is that they play for 85 minute," he said. "But we've got to look at ourselves. The boys know they let themselves down last week and we are looking for a much more cohesive performance."

Currie also need to rediscover the winning habit when they travel to face Melrose, who produced their best showing of the season in last week's win over Edinburgh Accies, who are also on the road to the Borders, with Hawick awaiting.

Ian Barnes, who has made his mark at both clubs during his coaching career, brings in Stewart Walker at full back and switches Alex Blair to centre, with Ruaridh Bonner occupying the stand off berth, as he did during Accies' late fight back last week. Lewis Niven takes over at tight head and James Turner moves from flanker to second row for Nathan Pike, with Ewan Milne returning at open side.

In Division Two, Musselburgh travel to face fellow strugglers Kelso in a match described by Stoneyhill coach Craig McGeary as a mini-cup final.

Erstwhile leaders Haddington have suffered two narrow defeats on successive weekends and will be looking to get their promotion challenge back on track against a Stewart's-Melville side that has suffered a dip in form after a promising start.