Club rugby preview: Stirling County eager to banish play-off threat

THE four teams destined to drop into the relegation play-offs, and vie with Premier Two’s top dogs for two spots in the new ten-team Premier One, may be almost assured, but there remains much motivation for all clubs with two games left before the split.

Stirling County are the only team that realistically could still be dragged into the mire, and that would require Eddie Pollock’s side to lose both of their remaining games and either Edinburgh Accies or Heriot’s to win theirs – and possibly by good points margins – to pass the Bridgehaugh men.

Stirling are today away to Currie and then face Ayr at home. But they could render the latter match inconsequential from their point of view by following a fine home win against Melrose with a victory at Malleny Park.

Currie have succeeded in clawing their way back towards the top of the league after a poor start and Ayr are striving to emulate them after some indifferent displays so far. Ayr coach Kenny Murray is hopeful that his side, who host Hawick today, can use the motivation of British and Irish Cup qualification to pull themselves from defeat at Dundee and into the top three.

He said: “The team is desperate to make amends for last week’s result against Dundee. They were a well-organised side and took their chances, but we committed too many errors, which prove costly at this level.

“It has been an exciting and interesting league this season with teams desperate to stay in the top eight and garner valuable points for British and Irish Cup qualification, so this is a crucial match for us.

“Hawick, as ever, will have our full respect as they are always a competitive side and will wish to put in a good performance following the Currie match.”

The Borderers are struggling to get a grip in this season’s campaign, anchored at the foot of the table with no wins. They have shuffled the side and called in four young talents that have come through the Hawick YM ranks, which points to an improving picture of support for the senior team in the town, and coach Jim Renwick is thankful to see Rory Hutton back from a year’s travelling in the Southern Hemisphere.

Intriguingly, the Bill McLaren Shield – Scotland’s new equivalent of the historic Ranfurly Shield – is up for grabs today but at Hawick’s old rivals Gala, where they host Aberdeen, who have the opportunity to take the trophy into Caledonia. The Maroons sit on top of the league table for the first time in nearly 18 years and coach George Graham is working overtime to keep feet on the ground. Aberdeen came from behind to defeat Heriot’s and travel south with a good dose of confidence.

Heriot’s started the season with back-to-back wins and have not tasted success since so are keen to use the heat of a capital derby with Boroughmuir, and the presence of Gregor Lawson who morphs back into the No 15 jersey, to wrest back some confidence. Boroughmuir, fresh from claiming their first win in five games, know victory will put an end to the very slight possibility of a drop into the bottom four.

Edinburgh Accies have turned to a handful of 2nd XV players who have been performing well, alongside pros Andrew Kelly and Lewis Niven, as they head to Melrose knowing a win could turn up the pressure on Stirling and lift hopes of a top-eight place.

Dundee make the trip across country to Glasgow boosted by good performances against Ayr, Melrose and Currie in recent weeks, and meet a Hawks side that has reshuffled its back line in an effort to bounce back from the 48-3 loss at Boroughmuir.