MATCHES between Heriot’s and Hawick have at all times been focal factors on the fixture lists for each of those golf equipment relationship again a few years, and this weekend’s conflict at Goldenacre is definitely a giant one for the house crew, who’re hoping to show round a 31-point deficit from their journey to Mansfield as a way to choose up some invaluable league factors of their wrestle to flee the darkish spectre of relegation. And, in fact, the Invoice McLaren Shiel is up for grabs too.
The Blues of Heriot’s could also be ninth within the Premiership desk and Hawick prime, however the Greens haven’t discovered it straightforward at Goldenacre in latest instances and this might be a giant check of their mettle.
Whereas the hosts nonetheless want factors to make sure of avoiding the drop, Hawick might be eager to regain the momentum that they had earlier than final week’s recreation at Glasgow Hawks was postponed.
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In the meantime, the Edinburgh Accies versus Selkirk and Marr versus Glasgow Hawks matches might be vital ones when it comes to the play-offs.
Can Musselburgh hold alive their hopes of an excellent escape? The underside aspect are at house to Jed-Forest whereas GHA, simply above the drop zone, are additionally on house turf versus Currie Chieftains.
With the common season now attributable to end on February twenty fifth, the play-off semi-finals are pencilled in for March 4th and the ultimate on March eleventh, the day earlier than Scotland play Eire within the Six Nations.
Venue: Raeburn Place @ 2pm
Groups –
Edinburgh Accies: B Appleson; Ok Gossman, M Wallace, N Armstrong, L Wells; J Loomes©, S Broad; C Imrie, F McAslan, C Lacour, J Mills, R Thompson, T Drennan, J Sole, R Campbell. Subs: C Taylor, G Ratcliff, C Bain, M Love, V Hart.
Selkirk: C Anderson; L Ferguson, R Cottrell, C Jackson, J Welsh; Aaron McColm©, E McVicar; Ok Thomson, J Bett, B Riddell, A Cochrane, C Turnbull, R Nixon, S McClymont, Andrew McColm. Subs: C Waterproof coat, Szwagrzak, C Ward, J Hamilton, C Easson.
Key battle: Neil Armstrong versus Craig Jackson.
Staff information –
Edinburgh Accies: The backs stay unchanged with Max Love returning to the bench. Up entrance, Fraser McAslan replaces Callum Black at hooker and Cameron Taylor returns to the match-day squad alongside Cameron Bain on the bench.
Selkirk: By way of the forwards, Luke Pettie and James Head haven’t managed to shake off niggles in time, however Andrew McColm, Ross Nixon and Zen Szwagrzak are all again and match. Ethan McVicar will get his first begin of the season at 9.
What the coaches say –
“This week we welcome fifth positioned Selkirk to Raeburn Place for what is bound to be a cracking recreation and can go a protracted option to deciding closing league positions for each golf equipment. We have to consider our recreation and proceed imposing ourselves on the opposition to outwork a robust Borders aspect …” – Iain Berthinussen (Edinburgh Accies)
“Video games don’t come any extra vital than this and we all know the duty at hand if we need to end within the prime 4 having not managed to beat Marr final day out. We all know it gained’t be straightforward as Accies have been very constant by the season …” – Scott Wight (Selkirk)
Verdict: This can be a massive recreation for each side. Accies have been in good kind, however Selkirk want extra and which will by key to them battling their option to a triumph right here.
Away win.
Venue: Braidholm @ 2pm
Groups –
GHA: C King; L Bardelli, J Ventisei, A Stirrat, Ok Dixon; C Townsend, F Johnston; T Brogan, A Falconer, M Fox, A Kerr, A Barnett, M Ryan, D Ewing©, L McCutcheon. Subs: L Barron, D Sutton, S Callaghan, G Baird, G Drummond.
Currie Chieftains: J Forbes; J McCaig, DJ Innes, A Corridor, Ok McGovern; G Hunter, G Christie; C Anderson, R Stewart, C Ramsay, W Inglis, E Stewart, A McCallum, Ok Metal, R Davies©. Subs: J Drummond, J Ramsay, J O’Brien, P Boyer, C Brett.
Key battle: Johnny Ventisei versus DJ Innes.
Staff information –
GHA: There are a selection of adjustments within the backline this week, Fergus Johnston begins at 9 the place he might be partnered by Glasgow Warriors Academy participant Christian Townsend at 10. Andy Stirrat, one other Warriors Academy participant, is again to GHA the place he’ll begin within the midfield alongside St Aloysius’ first XV captain Johnny Ventisei. Within the again three, Kyle Dixon strikes onto the wing and Cameron King returns at full-back. The one change within the pack sees membership stalwart Tony Brogan begin within the front-row following damage to Erik Cavan final week.
Currie Chieftains: Chris Anderson begins within the forwards alongside Kyle Metal, the latter changing the injured Gregor Nelson at quantity seven. Within the backs, DJ Innes is again after an damage lay-off and Charlie Brett comes into the squad after damage.
What the coaches say –
“The consequence final week was vastly disappointing, however the squad confirmed nice character to come back again and put ourselves able to win towards Musselburgh. That spirit has continued in coaching this week and we’ll have to be at our greatest for the complete 80 minutes for this weekend’s fixture towards Currie …” – Calum Forrester (GHA)
“Our final outing towards Hawick was embarrassing. That’s not taking something away from Hawick who’re an excellent crew, however we all know we may be so a lot better. It’s been again to fundamentals over the previous couple of weeks, figuring out that we have to win the gain-line battle on each side of the ball to present ourselves a possibility to win at Braidholm. This can be a should win recreation for each groups, so we anticipate a really powerful contest and all 20 gamers have to step up …” – Mark Cairns (Currie Chieftains)
Verdict: Either side go into this one off the again of losses, GHA final week to Musselburgh and Currie a fortnight in the past at Hawick. GHA are in determined want of factors and having Andy Stirrat accessible is a lift, however Currie’s high quality – with the phrase “embarrassing” ringing of their ears – ought to see them by.
Away win.
Venue: Goldenacre @ 2pm
Groups –
Heriot’s Blues: C Simpson; R McKnight, R Kay©, G Morison, C Robertson; D Martin, G Wilson; M Bouab, M Towards, J Lascelles, C Jupp, M Keough, S Wallace, I Hill, A Johnston. Subs: D Dineen, A Munro, A Woolfson, I Kay, P Christie.
Hawick: Ok Ford; L Ferguson, A Mitchell, E Reilly, R McKean; Ok Brunton, H Patterson; S Muir©, F Renwick, N Little, D Redpath, S Fairbairn, C Sutherland, C Renwick, S Graham. Subs: R Graham R Macleod, H Donaldson, G Welsh, G Huggan.
Key battle: Ali Johnston versus Stuart Graham.
Staff information –
Heriot’s Blues: George Morison is available in to make his 1st XV debut at 12 whereas the league’s prime attempt scorer Craig Robertson returns on the wing.
Hawick: Shaun Fairbairn returns after a slight damage within the second-row for the unavailable Daniel Suddon, whereas Ruaridh Macleod and Hughie Joe Donaldson earn bench spots.
What the coaches say –
“The large video games hold coming and there’s no larger recreation than taking part in the league leaders. We’re trying ahead to the problem figuring out selecting up any factors for the time being are vital …” – Phil Smith (Heriot’s Blues)
“We’re trying ahead to a visit to Goldenacre on Saturday. We haven’t gained there for round 10 years, so we all know the problem at hand. We now have put in three good performances on the bounce and it’s about how we again these up and the way we handle the sport. It is going to be a agency pitch and Heriot’s might be trying to put us underneath actual stress. If we win on Saturday we’ll e-book a house semi-final so there’s rather a lot to play for and it’s key we hold the momentum going …” – Matty Douglas (Hawick)
Verdict: Heriot’s Blues may have been buoyed by their essential win at Musselburgh a fortnight in the past and this needs to be a great contest, however Hawick might be too robust in the long run.
Away win.
Venue: Fullarton Park @ 2pm
Groups –
Marr: C Inglis; J Jacobsen, S Bickerstaff, C Bickerstaff, J Scott; C Sturgeon©, G Baird; G Reid, S Clelland, C Miller, D Andrew, C Folan, C Younger, B Jardine, B Johnston. Subs: C McMillan, A Acton, C Steele, G Beckwith, A Ramage.
Glasgow Hawks: H Lapslie; C Kennedy, J Pinkerton, C Ferrie, R Darroch; C Harrison, E McAra; G Pressure, P Cairncross, E Cairns, M Crumlish, R Burke, A Syme, S Leckey©, Oscar Baird. Subs: I Totic, Ok Shanahan, V Carlsson, E Davey, R Flett.
Key battle: Grant Baird versus Euan McAra.
Staff information –
Marr: Conor Bickerstaff, Jake Jacobson, Callum Steele and Ben Johnston all return to the squad. Fraser Grant and Robert Brown are unavailable this week. Scott McDonald and Liam Morrison pays for the second XV.
Glasgow Hawks: Mike Downer is unavailable and Eben Cairns is launched from the under-20s to get recreation time and can make his first begin for the primary XV at tight-head, whereas Paul Cairncross is available in at hooker. Within the backs, half-backs Euan McAra and Callum Harrison have earned a begin after impressing in coaching. Sam Graham is injured so Charlie Kennedy is available in on the wing to make his first look of the season after a hellish time with damage, whereas Henry Lapslie is given a begin at full-back.
What the coaches say –
“After a great win towards Jed-Forest final week we face one other powerful recreation towards Glasgow Hawks on Saturday. Hawks are at all times ready effectively by Andy Hill and we expect a bodily and shut encounter. Earlier within the season they dominated the sport and gained the bodily battle, so we’ve to match this problem if we want to win …” – Craig Redpath (Marr)
“Marr are using excessive after their latest outcomes and have put themselves within the hunt for a play-off spot. We want to get again to successful methods, however we’re effectively conscious we’ll have to be at our greatest to win at Fullarton. It’s an excellent alternative for us to come back and throw the kitchen sink at them with nothing to lose …” – Andy Hill (Glasgow Hawks)
Verdict: Marr are constructing properly and have stored their play-off hopes alive. Hawks are in mid-table and this can be a ‘free-hit’. They could effectively throw all the pieces at Marr, however the hosts needs to be too robust with momentum behind them.
House win.
Venue: Stoneyhill @ 2pm
Groups –
Musselburgh: P Cunningham; T Foley, R Watt, R Smith, S Watt; M McMillan, D Owenson©; C Owenson, R Stott, N McNairn, J Campbell, M Badenhorst, P Bogie, M Outram, L Hutson. Subs: R Hanning, C Arthur, J Haynes, M Crawford, R Younger.
Jed-Forest: C Younger; M Cullen, Gregor Younger, O Cranston, R Shirra-Gibb; G Munro, A Bambrick; J Story, F Scott, H Meadows, D Wardrop, C Skeldon©, Garry Younger, B Roff, B Fotheringham. Subs: A Sweenie, M Atkinson, B McNeil, E Lauder, L Walker.
Key battle: Rory Watt versus Gregor Younger.
Staff information –
Musselburgh: Two adjustments to the beginning XV from final week sees Edinburgh Rugby Academy participant Jamie Campbell and Tom Foley change the injured William Fleming and Calum Marshall within the pack and on the wing respectively. Colin Arthur and Ruaridh Younger are the following cabs off the rank when it comes to getting back from damage and take their place on the bench instead of the now injured Finn Duraj and the unavailable Henry Thomas.
Jed-Forest: Ben McNeil, Dan Wardrop and Matthew Atkinson are all again within the squad. Harry Meadows begins at tight-head after impressing in his final two outings.
What the coaches say –
“Though we virtually snatched defeat from the jaws of victory final week we did sufficient to purchase ourselves extra time in our quest for survival. We all know we have to keep alive to the potent threats that Jed possess throughout the sector and apply the teachings we’ve taken in latest weeks when it comes to managing momentum swings in video games. Equally, it’s a privilege to play in significant video games this deep into the season and while we acknowledge the stress that comes with that, we’re extremely motivated to fulfill the problem head on …” – Derek O’Riordan (Musselburgh)
“It’s going to be powerful contest. They are going to combat for each little scrap. They want factors and it’s their final house recreation of the league season. We’re trying to consolidate our place within the league and end the season strongly …” – Andrew Brown (Jed-Forest)
Verdict: This can be a exhausting one to name as a result of Musselburgh are scrapping for his or her lives whereas Jed are protected and had been on a great run till they misplaced final week at Marr. They scored 33 factors in defeat, although, and their in-form assault might simply get them throughout the road right here
Away win.
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