RBS PREMIER A
Melrose v Gala
Craig Chalmers, the home coach, believes that matches “don’t come much bigger” than today’s derby showdown at the Greenyards. “We must win to stay on course to retain our title, while Gala need one more victory to clinch a place in the British and Irish Cup,” he noted. “I have a lot of respect for the way George Graham and his side have performed after being promoted and we know we will have to keep up the tempo for the whole 80 minutes.”
He has no injury worries, apart from over John Dalziel “which means the selection process has been tricky,” he said. Nick Mcgrath is back in action after a long spell on the sidelines, while pro Scott Wight has been released by Glasgow and is on the bench. Prediction Melrose pull through
Currie v Ayr
Kenny Murray, the Ayr coach, admits that his men are in last-chance saloon in terms of earning a ticket to the British and Irish Cup. He said: “Matches against Currie are always physical encounters and the race for qualification will give this one an extra edge.”
The Warriors front-row pair Mike Cusack and Gordon Reid are available to him, while Ross Curle, Rob Colhoun and Scott Sutherland return to the fray in the wake of club international duties. Currie are depleted by the absence of Andy Macmahon, Mike Entwistle, Andy Binikos, Jamse Johnstone and Ally Hamilton (all injured) along with Fergus Scott and Mark Cairns (Scotland U20). Prediction Ayr by a whisker
Aberdeen Gram v Stirling County
Alex Duncan, the Aberdeen coach, aims to dedicate a victory to the people who have played their part off the pitch. “It is our last home game and we see it as an opportunity to pay back our suporters for their tremendous backing throughout the season,” he said.
Greig Ryan is away with the Scotland Sevens squad in Hong Kong, so Laurie Seydak makes his long-awaited return from injury and Moray Low, the Scotland international prop has been released by Glasgow. Graeme Young, the County coach, welcomes the return of Rob Mcalpine and Ben Addison. He said: “Aberdeen are bound to be buoyed by their strong performance in their narrow loss to Dundee in the final of the Caledonia Regional Cup.” Prediction Aberdeen to edge it