The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hopes hinge on crucial run for High
Rugby reporter Steve Scott previews the weekend club fixtures
DUNDEE HSFP
The next month and a half will be crucial in determining whether Dundee High’s young team are going to pull themselves into the mix at the top of BT National League One.
High have played pretty well so far this season, but been on the wrong end of too many close ones. Notably, in all three matches against Borders opposition – Gala, Selkirk and last week at Jed-Forest – they lost by four points or less.
That haul of losing bonus points looks more like chances missed than ground gained. But the next four matches, starting with the visit of third-bottom Musselburgh to Mayfield tomorrow, are against teams below High in the league.
By the time Gala come to Mayfield on December 16, High will be looking to be at least 16 points better off than right now, which could put them up with the Maroons and Selkirk and close to second placed Jed, although leaders Edinburgh Accies, still unbeaten after beating Selkirk last week, seem to be away and clear for the outright promotion place.
KIRKCALDY
Greg Wallace’s three tries couldn’t save Kirkcaldy from defeat for only the second time this season against Lasswade, but the Blues remain top of National League Two with Hamilton unable to make ground as their date at Whitecraigs was off.
Biggar moved up into second as the Blues took two bonus points as consolation from their trip across the Forth, but Lasswade’s victory means the Bonnyrigg club are also now in the chase.
Despite not firing on all cylinders this last fortnight, six points have been gained, but four points is an absolute minimum this week at Burnbrae, where West are rebuilding under new coach Graham Hogg (brother of Scotland fullback Stuart, who has been lending a hand), and currently lie in ninth place.
However, with Aberdeenshire unable to meet their fixture against West last week and to even raise a team for their last two fixtures – a player exchange agreement with Aberdeen Grammar collapsed – there could be a redrawing of the league table ahead.
HOWE OF FIFE
It’s a sobering situation for Scottish club rugby that a team as high in the structure as the third tier could have its fixtures expunged because of nonfulfillment.
Howe of Fife were the last fixture Aberdeenshire played and the Cupar side haven’t won since in what has been a bit of a rollercoaster return to National Two.
There’s a big degree of rebuilding going on at Duffus – in the team instead of the ground this time – and it’ll take time for Chris Martin to get some consistency going but there’s a chance to get some points with Whitecraigs, currently second bottom, the visitors this week.
PERTHSHIRE
Zack Harris’s late score for Perthshire last week secured a precious comeback win against Orkney, a result which gives a little breathing room for the club in National League Three – but not that much.
Haddington made up ground with a win at Dalziel and are Shire’s hosts this week, looking to leapfrog them and move out of the third relegation spot. A clean sweep of wins against the three teams below them in the standings will do a lot to secure the club’s status in this division.
CALEDONIA LEAGUES
Caithness and Strathmore have opened up a little gap at the top of Caledonia Division One, but Strathie could be moving ahead this week as the Northerners have a bye week.
Grangemouth are the visitors to Inchmacoble, while at Earlsfield Alloa and Glenrothes lock horns to determine who is going to lead the chase after the top two in the division. The bottom two, Harris and Banff, meet at Elliot Road.
Blairgowrie continue to blaze the trail in Division Two Midlands, with eight wins from eight and a three-figure romp against an understrength Panmure last week. They have a stiffer test in the trip to Bridgehaugh to take on Stirling County IIIs, while the second and third teams, Hillfoots and Carnoustie HSFP, clash at Shanwell Road.
Division Three Midlands is led with two sides with 100% records – six wins, six try bonuses – in the Dundee Uni Medics and Waid FP. Both would appear to have bankers this week in meeting sides in the bottom half of the table, and it’ll be interesting to see if they can sustain their unbeaten runs until they actually meet for the first time, on February 10.