Trio's return gives Moffat hope for Stew-Mel escape

Stew-Mel trail second-bottom Watsonians by 12 points with six games left but coach Graeme Moffat has some reasons to be cheerful this weekend.

The previous clash at Heriot's saw his side give one of their best performances of the campaign in going down 21-24 and a repeat of that form at home could swing the pendulum their way.

And Ryan Grant, a try scorer at Goldenacre, has been released by Edinburgh Rugby to play in the front row, with Callum Mackintosh back at hooker and Scott Brewster returning at lock.

Last week saw a 66-15 defeat at Ayr and a Stew-Mel spokesman said: "A very disappointing result but, nevertheless, they have continued to show a great deal of spirit. That will be needed if a Heriot's side that has improved vastly since the last time we played them and coming off the back of an excellent win against Melrose last week are to be beaten."

Edinburgh Accies' slide to ninth spot, seven points above Watsonians who have a game in hand, has led coach Ian Barnes to term tomorrow's clash at Glasgow Hawks a "must win".

He said: "We have lost three games on the trot and find ourselves too close to the relegation zone for comfort. Saturday is a must-win, not only in terms of league points but also to expunge the memory of the 43-12 thumping we took from Hawks at Raeburn Place earlier in the season."

Returning from injury for Accies is winger Dave Rattray. Matt Coupar moves into the centre to accommodate him and Gavin Douglas switches to stand off in a bid to establish better control at half back. Mike Campbell, on a break from his police training, comes in at scrum half.

Up front, Matt Stevens is unavailable because of Army commitments and Greg Campbell moves back into the second row with Robin Snape returning in the back row. Scotland under-19 hooker David Cherry is fit again and returns to the bench.

Heartened by their first home win of the season last week Watsonians keep changes to a minimum for the trip to Melrose.

Definitely out is Mark Rennie, which means a recall for Michael Fedo at flanker, although 'Sonians will not finalise their starting line-up until shortly before kick-off.

For Boroughmuir an away win at Accies was followed by a home setback against Hawks and they now head to Tayside hoping to complete a double over a Dundee side who have Edinburgh pro Fraser Mackenzie available and prolific scorer James Fleming fit again on the wing.