Leading lights still searching for vital spark in Premier One

THERE is already the beginning of a move in the Premier One table towards a top and bottom half of the league with just three games played, however, there is a distinct uneasiness among those clubs leading the way, with all coaches in agreement that their teams have not yet fired.

• Unbeaten Heriot's defeated Currie last weekend but coach Bob McKillop feels his side can improve in attack Picture: Greg Macvean

Craig Chalmers, the Melrose coach, made the point in these columns on Monday that a sign of a good team was one that still pulled out a victory on its off-days, before duly tearing into his players in training this week and insisting that a repeat will bring defeat to visitors Dundee today.

Teams like Hawick and Ayr, in particular, have won titles through winning games by small margins and while the 'Green Machine' is still to click into third gear, and will be hoping to do so at West of Scotland this afternoon, Ayr are trundling along quite nicely again. This afternoon, another unbeaten side, Heriot's, pitch up in Alloway.

The home side did well to come through against Dundee at Mayfield last week, and without coach Kenny Murray available. He is back today and will be determined to ensure nothing changes. His assistant Peter Laverie was pleased with the spirit his side showed, and some good tries, yet believes there is much more to come from Ayr.

"But Heriot's represent another big challenge," he said. "They have been going very well this season and will no doubt want to avenge last season's defeats to us. It's at Millbrae with two teams enjoying a winning streak so it could be a cracker, but we will need to be at our very best to take this one."

Bob McKillop, the Heriot's coach, is reasonably happy with his side's defensive displays, but feels the attack needs oiling. "Last week's defensive performance was very pleasing and our three tries owed a lot to our defensive intensity," he said, "but we are looking to improve on our attacking game.

"Last season's cup semi-final was a real high-quality, physical struggle and I am sure this will be no different. Ayr is one of the toughest places to win, but the atmosphere the crowd creates makes it a good place to play." Glasgow Hawks are on their own at the top of the table, as the only side to have claimed maximum points so far, but they face a serious examination at Malleny Park today with Currie, the frustrated reigning champions, striving to uncover a first win of the season.

Hawks director of rugby Peter Wright is another coach who believes his side are capable of better than they have shown so far, however. On their win over Stirling, he said: "It was a strange game. We started and finished exceptionally well but the bit in between was disappointing and if we perform like that this week then we will be well beaten."

Currie are sixth on six points, with the next four teams all on five, and Hawick and Watsonians the bottom two, Marcus Di Rollo's entry into club coaching proving tough as he prepares for the short trip to Boroughmuir where the McNish Trophy is also up for grabs today. The remaining game is at Bridgehaugh where Stirling welcome Selkirk, both teams acutely aware that a defeat would leave them on the wrong side of a gap expected to open this weekend between the top and bottom halves.

And yet, what is clear and encouraging, as teams vie to fill the top eight and avoid the bottom four spots for the new split at the end of October, is that no one team is yet showing title-winning form and all seem eminently beatable.