Jed out to halt Watsonians’ ten-in-a-row bid

A NUMBER of clubs in the RBS National League are looking for big performances today for differing reasons ahead of a month-long break from league business.

The first ten weeks of action in the ten-team league have been gripping and today also throws up some interesting fixtures, with teams knowing wins are vital ahead of the action resuming on 1 December after some regional cup matches.

All eyes will be on Riverside Park where bottom side Jed-Forest take on leaders Watsonians with the latter going for their tenth win in a row.

On paper the Edinburgh side should head back up the road with four or five points under their belts – and they have a psychological edge having defeated Jed 78-3 back in September to kick-start their good run.

Jed are always a tough nut to crack at home though and will be eager to get off the bottom ahead of the mini-break while ’Sonians know they can’t afford any lapses in concentration.

Last week that is just what happened when they went 31-3 down to Glasgow Hawks at Myreside before a stirring fightback saw them through 34-31. The architect of that renaissance was Mike Ker and as a result he will start at scrum-half today.

Second-placed Glasgow Hawks know they threw away a golden opportunity seven days ago and will be determined to take out their frustrations on ninth placed Biggar.

Ross Miller is missing for the hosts at Old Anniesland as he is away with Rugby Ecosse at the Singapore Sevens.

Biggar have lost five matches in a row, but put in a better showing last week against Hamilton with Blake de-Cornu and Hata Wilbore forming a strong looking centre pairing and a number of players coming back from injury.

Fourth meets third at Philiphaugh with Selkirk hosting Hawick. Both sides know, sitting 13 and ten points behind the leaders respectively, that a win is vital to keep up their hopes of automatic promotion and Selkirk welcome back back-row Ryan Crockatt for this one.

Hamilton and Kelso are tied on 19 points in eighth and seventh respectively and will want a win at Laigh Bent to ease the pressure and open up an even bigger gap over the bottom two.

And fifth plays sixth at Hughenden with Hillhead/Jordanhill hosting Stewart’s Melville. The latter in particular will be looking for improvements after two recent losses stunted their progress.