Kirkcaldy close to confirming promotion

Bt leagues: Toughest possible chance to clinch title as Hamilton come calling

Kirkcaldy are within touching distance of returning to National League One but have the toughest possible assignment to achieve it on schedule.

The Blues have three games to get what they need to secure the National Two title, and need just one point to confirm promotion to return to the second tier of Scottish Rugby for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

Two points from the game against nearest challengers Hamilton Bulls at Beveridge Park tomorrow will confirm the title.

They toughed out a difficult away examination at Biggar last week, with Hartree Mill in its usual unwelcoming windswept garb. Unconverted tries from Finlay Smith and Danny Jennings had the contest poised at 10-10, but full-back Smith’s penalty despite the swirling conditions and some stifling defence in the final minutes secured the victory.

It was the Blues’ 10th successive victory in league play, but Hamilton come to Beveridge Park with their own fine run and a great chance to follow Kirkcaldy in National League One.

Since they were beaten at Howe of Fife on the first weekend of 2018, the Bulls have been on a surge with seven successive victories to emerge as favourites for the second promotion slot.

They have only a five-point advantage over Dumfries in third.

Howe of Fife confirmed they will be staying in the division last week, with three games to spare, thanks to a bonuspoint victory over Preston Lodge.

They are at Lasswade, who need to win to keep up their faint hopes of the second promotion place.

Dundee High regained the Dallas Allardice Cup with victory over Aberdeen Grammar last week, and there were two notable off-the-field matters to be concerned with.

The first was the presentation to former player, president, stalwart committee man (at Murrayfield as well as Mayfield) and all-round legend Dave Nicol, for surpassing 61 years of service to High.

Son and former Scotland captain Andy was on hand for the presentation to Dave.

He has been the first friendly face at the Mayfield gates for this reporter for as long as I can remember.

Later it was announced that it was the last home game for Alan Brown, the former captain and now coach who is retiring from playing at the end of this season.

Broonie’s departure will relieve referees up and down the country but will leave a huge hole at Mayfield, where he has been the cornerstone of the team in an amazing 400 appearances.

Your correspondent is also feeling the loss, but more in the knowledge that a player he once covered playing for the Scotland U21 team is now retiring from the game.

High are away at Cartha QP tomorrow and finish off against Jed-forest and therefore play a part in the furious finale to the season, with Edinburgh Accies and Jed still locked together on 94 points with two to play.

stscott@thecourier.co.uk