RBS Premiership Rugby: Seven battle to avoid drop

By GARY HEATLY
Published on 16/03/2013 01:54

Stirling County, Dundee HSFP and Edinburgh Accies all face crucial RBS Premiership matches this afternoon, with seven clubs still facing the possibility of finishing in the relegation ‘play-off’ spot.

Following Accies’ slender victory over Stirling County seven days ago, Boroughmuir were relegated and will finish bottom while Dundee HSFP were left in ninth place. Whoever finishes ninth will face a match against the team that finishes second in the RBS National League.

From Heriot’s in third place down to Dundee HSFP, there are just six points between them, with Melrose, Aberdeen Grammar, Currie, County and Edinburgh Accies all also involved in the tense finale to the campaign.

The top flight was due to end next Saturday, but with today’s scheduled Melrose-Aberdeen Grammar match again postponed because the former have three players away on club international duty, the season will now stretch to 6 April.

Stirling County host Boroughmuir at Bridgehaugh, with Glasgow Warrior Byron McGuigan released to play on the wing and Craig Deacons and Robbie Boswell coming into the pack.

Muir travel with a number of players out injured, but will want to win their last two matches before head coach Fergus Pringle departs his role.

Dundee HSFP welcome Edinburgh Accies to Mayfield. Andy Redmayne is missing for the hosts, as he is still under medical supervision. Richie Hawkins and Ross Lemon come into the starting line-up. Accies are without a quartet of players away on under-20s and club international duty and, with Euan Bonner injured, his older brother Ruairidh moves to stand-off with Ewen Campbell back at 12.

Biggar can secure their place in the RBS National League for 2013-14 today with a win against Selkirk at Hartreemill that would send Hamilton and Jed-Forest down to the RBS Championship. Before Christmas, Biggar looked almost certain to drop out of the division, but a battling draw at Inverleith over the festive period saw an upturn in their fortunes. And the escape could be completed today if they can complete the double over mid-table Selkirk. Last week at Philiphaugh Biggar triumphed 41-7.

Title-chasing Glasgow Hawks travel to the Borders for the second week in succession and they know they will be in for another tough battle. Last week they edged out Kelso 13-0 while this afternoon they square up to a Jed side for whom this is a ‘must-win’ at Riverside Park.

Should Hawks win with a bonus point, they will go one point ahead of Hawick ahead of the final round of matches in the division on 23 March. Both matches are at 3pm.