Ayr face Heriot's on title rivals Currie's patch

CURRIE could secure the Scottish Hydro Premier One title at Malleny Park tonight without setting foot on their own pitch.

The current league leaders agreed to a request from Heriot's to play their outstanding match with Ayr at Malleny Park, Currie's home ground, as their Goldenacre pitch is now in use by George Heriot's School.

Ayr need to win to keep their title hopes alive after losing to Currie at Malleny on Saturday; a Heriot's victory would wrap up a second championship for Ally Donaldson's men.

Even if Ayr win tonight, they still require Currie to lose to Glasgow Hawks at Anniesland on Saturday and then beat Selkirk at Philiphaugh next weekend. But Ayr coach Kenny Murray insisted that the players, fresh from the rollercoaster of a cup win and league defeat, were up for the challenge.

He said: "Following the huge disappointment of losing at Currie, the players are now looking forward to playing their last two games and have set a target of finishing on 98 points. We also want to make sure that Currie need to win at Glasgow Hawks on Saturday."

Ayr have made a few changes to the side that lost to Currie, with Scotland U19 lock Blair McPherson coming in for Scott Sutherland, who is playing a summer season in Sydney.

Steven Manning replaces the injured Cammy Taylor, Jamie Hunter returns at scrum-half, and flanker Paul Burke is facing a late fitness test, with Gibson Swio standing by.

Heriot's hand Hawick youngster Stuart Hogg his first start for the 1st XV after being injured for nearly the whole season, replacing Marc Teague who dislocated his shoulder again in the last minute of the Hawks game. And lock Pete Eccles is back in.

Bob McKillop, the Heriot's coach, commented: "We are disappointed that this 'home' game is not at Goldenacre, but everyone at Heriot's is very grateful to Currie for allowing us to use their pitches and facilities for the 1sts and 2nds games with Ayr. If the recent cup semi-final is anything to go by this will be a tough, physical encounter and I am sure both teams will want to finish on a high."

Heriot's: C Goudie; J Alston, M Nimmo, R Mill, S Hogg; G Rutherford, G Wilson; A Dymock, K Bryce, W Blacklock, M Reid, P Eccles, M Maltman, C Fusaro, J Syme. Subs: N Meikle, M Welch, C Osazuwa, M Lee, S Johnson.

Ayr: G Anderson; A Wilson, R Curle, M Stewart, S Manning; F Climo, J Hunter; G Reid, P McArthur, S Fenwick, D Kelly (capt), B Macpherson, J Crossan, A Dunlop, G Tippett. Subs: S Adair, S Nimmo, P Burke/G Swio, AJ Macfarlane, D Steele.