Accies and Hawks clash with top-flight status at stake

With the regular season almost over there is a massive game in the Tennent’s Premiership today when bottom side Edinburgh Accies take on second-bottom Glasgow Hawks at Raeburn Place

There is a real danger that one of these famous old clubs could drop down to National League Division One.

Mathematically, other clubs are still in the mix to finish bottom but, with just three and two matches remaining respectively, Accies and Hawks desperately both need a win. Accies are on 27 points, with Hawks on 28.

The home side have Ben Appleson returning at fullback, with Monty Cairnes moving to the wing to accommodate him.

Accies head coach Iain Berthinussen said: “We have a big game at Raeburn Place this weekend, the challenge is well and truly set.”

Hawks dug in well to pick up a losing bonus point at Marr seven days ago and Paul Cairncrossandmatthewstewart re-join the starting XV.

“Not much needing said,” Hawks head coach Andy Hill stated.

“Both teams are desperate for a win and will be throwing everything at it to get the result they need.”

Musselburgh are currently eighth, six points clear of Accies, but today sees them play their final game of the campaign at home to secondplaced Currie Chieftains.

William Fleming comes into the East Lothian side’s pack for the game.

Head coach Graeme Paterson said: “We are focused on gaining valuable points in our survival quest and a fantastic result away against GHA last week has given us a boost.”

The Chieftains want to make sure of a home semifinal in the play-offs and they bring Gregor Christie back at scrum-half.

Leaders Marr and thirdplaced Hawick are the other teams battling it out with Currie for the two home lastfour ties and they are on the road at Aberdeen Grammar and Jed-forest respectively. The experienced Tom Steven makes a timely return on the wing for Marr for the trip north with Scott Bickerstaff having flown to Canada to be a part of the Scotland Sevens squad in Vancouver this weekend.

Hawick are going for ten league wins in a row and name an unchanged starting XV with the other game of the round seeing Selkirk, safe in the play-offs, taking on GHA at Philiphaugh.