Rugby: Harry Fenton faces magical history tour as ’Muir mount attack on Melrose

A history student at Edinburgh University, Fenton has joined on the recommendation of former Scotland grand slam winger Jim Pollock.

“Harry was coached at Newcastle Royal Grammar School by Jim who contacted us directly when he learned he’d be moving to Edinburgh.

“As well as playing for the Falcons development side Harry has also turned out for Northumberland age-group teams,” said a ‘Muir spokesman.

Despite the length and breath of Group A separating the teams – ‘Muir are bottom – only two points separated the teams when they met in the Borders earlier this season.

In a bid to bridge that gap ‘Muir also recall Lynton Brinck at second row after a man-of-the-match display for the reserves at Dundee last week.

Melrose are still smarting after blowing a lead to lose at home to Dundee last time and since then Romanian prop Petru Tamba has returned home to fulfil international duties.

Melrose’s defeat last time allowed Currie to gain ground and the Malleny Park side now head for runners-up Gala knowing that victory is essential to stay in the title hunt.

Returning to the Currie ranks are Mark Cairns, Barry Mansfield, Steve Burton and Dougie Fife although Andrew Binikos and Mike Entwhistle are out with Alan Whittingham and Malcolm Peacock dropping to the bench.

Currie coach Ally Donaldson says of his opponents who claimed the spoils by a two-point margin in the reciprocal fixture: “Gala have proved their worth time and again this season and will be desperate for a win after losing their opening Premier A match (at Aberdeen). The league is very delicately poised and every match is massively important as we look forward to our first visit to Netherdale in a number of years.” Also in the Borders, Edinburgh Accies make a delayed start to their Group B bid after the cancellation of the opening fixture at Jed-Forest.

Coach Simon Cross has full back Jamie Sole back from a spell at London Scottish and warns his side to expect a rougher ride than the 25-0 win they posted last October at Raeburn Place.

“Hawick appear to be a completely different outfit under (new coach) Phil Leck and our previous fixture will count for nothing. However, we had a decent performance last week against Haddington in the Regional Cup and have a full squad to select from. This promises to be a fascinating encounter with Hawick having to win after their home draw with Stewart’s Melville.”

For the visit of Jed-Forest to Goldenacre Heriot’s will have Fraser Brown, Struan Cessford and Alan Dymock back from turning out in the Scottish Clubs versus Scotland Under-20s fixture.

Compared to the side which defeated Watsonians the only changes are in the backs with Gregor Lawson and Cammy Ferguson away due to work commitments.

The ever-reliable Colin Goudie resumes at full back and there is a starting role at inside centre for Rory Carmichael with Max Nimmo on the wing.

Also in Group B Watsonians restore Ben Di Rollo for the Myreside clash with Glasgow Hawks after the stand off was a late call-off from the Heriot’s match with a severe migraine.

Also recalled to an extended squad are wing/full back Ali Rowe, who has made over 100 appearances for the top team, and utility forward Mark Johnson. Front-row men Scott Laird and Tom Wright are still injured while Samoan back-row Paul Tuala is unavailable.

For Stewart’s Melville the challenge is to build on their draw at home when they entertain Hamilton at Inverleith.

In Premier Division Three, Lasswade are on the road attempting to complete a league double over Greenock Wanderers while National League one throws up trips for Edinburgh University, Murrayfield Wanderers, Musselburgh and RHC to Langholm, Hawick YM, Ellon and Kilmarnock respectively.