Border rivals all set for clash

IT is billed as a friendly, but niceties will be put aside when Gala and Melrose meet tomorrow at Netherdale, kick-off 3pm, for the Waverley Cup.

Netherdale is expected to hold its biggest crowd of the season, mainly thanks to the undersoil heating that has kept the pitch playable.

The host club will be looking for revenge after last season's close defeat.

"This is a very important game for us," said Gala spokesman Gordon Keddie. "There is a lot of belief in our players as they go for a Premiership 1 place and this will show where we stand against the top opposition."

The only player missing is Euan Dods, and New Zealander Gino Haurua comes into the pool after injury.

Melrose will field a full squad ahead of the re-arranged British-Irish Cup game against Esher on January 3. "We will be putting out our full team as we want to be ready for Esher," said President Mike Dalgetty. That will mean places for Scott Wight and John Dalziel, who had been expected to miss out due to Co-optimists' selection later in the week.