Rugby: Binikos went the extra mile to take Currie to edge of title

If Currie do not claim the crown on Thursday on account of their only challengers, Ayr, slipping up in a re-arranged match with Heriot's then they will have an opportunity to seal the deal on Saturday at Glasgow Hawks.

Just a few weeks ago, as he languished on the sidelines recovering from his second leg break in as many years, it seemed unlikely that Binikos could be involved in the denouement and hopes further receded when, on returning to South Africa for his wedding, ash from the Icelandic volcano meant being laid up in the Southern Hemisphere awaiting the resumption of air traffic.

But utility back Binikos finally made it back to his adopted home in Edinburgh a few days before Saturday's 16-13 win and it was testimony to the rehab he had undertaken as well as his abilities that coach Ally Donaldson felt able to introduce him to the action from off the bench in the final quarter of the contest.

According to Binikos, though, there was even more to the comeback with skipper Andy Adam playing a central part.

"I was always determined to play again after breaking my leg, coincidentally against Ayr, in the first half of the season and, if there were any thoughts about quitting, they were immediately blocked out.

"The friendships I've developed at Currie meant I had to get back and throughout the injury situation I have 'Stretch' (Adam) to thank for keeping me involved.

"On occasions that meant running on with water during breaks in play and that was fine by me because I never felt left out of things at any stage of my recovery.

"To get back in time to face Ayr was a real privilege especially given my travel difficulties."

Scores were deadlocked at 13-13 when Binikos emerged to almost immediately find himself going through a gap on the end of an innovative behind-the-back pass from Andy MacMahon which only just went to ground. Picking himself up from the resultant tackle it was clear Binikos knew he was in a struggle. "I realised I had a 20-minute stint in which there was to be no hiding place and the intensity really hit home hard," said the former Natal Sharks player.

According to coach Donaldson there was never any danger that Binikos, who had played in ten of Currie's opening 11 matches before injury struck, would not take the occasion in his stride to stake a claim for Saturday's match at Hawks when Scotland under-20 stand off Matthew Scott could also return.

"I'm so delighted for Andy who has been back in training with us since just after Christmas. With his wedding coming up Andy's fiancee wouldn't let him return to playing ahead of the ceremony and, when the ash from the volcano affected flights, he tried to get a game for his old club's reserve team in South Africa only to be denied when the opposition failed to turn up. He is such a capable player, though, it was hard to leave him out once he came back fit and there could be a bit of a selection headache for Saturday with forwards Andy Reekie, Stevie Burton and Mike Entwhistle also likely to be available."

An abiding memory from Saturday's clash was the sight of a Currie player locked in conversation with an opponent outside the 'away' dressing room seeking information about Ayr's pioneering adventure in the British and Irish Clubs' Cup which is clearly a massive incentive and a major talking point on the club scene.

This was alluded to by Donaldson ahead of the trip to Hawks. "We've never had it easy at Hawks and it will be especially hard with them chasing what some claim could be four places in the next B&I Cup."

Such thoughts are echoed by Binikos who said: "Playing in the win over Ayr was the ideal way to round off a fabulous month for me but it is important now for the whole team to be humble approaching the Hawks' game."

Meanwhile, Ayr's all-or- nothing clash with Heriot's will take place at Malleny Park with the posts being down at Goldenacre. SRU officials have still to decide whether to take the trophy along for presentation to the host third party in the event of Ayr failing to win.