Chieftains up for the fight to end Hawick run
THERE are huge matches at either end of the Premiership table this afternoon, with pace- setters Hawick hosting their closest challengers Currie Chieftains at Mansfield Park, whilst, basement dwel ler s Musselburgh face second- bottom Heriot’s Blues at Stoneyhill in a match they must win to retain any realistic hope of avoiding the drop.
There is also a crunch clash at Philiphaugh where fifth- placed Marr need a win to keep in touch with Selkirk in the battle for the fourth play- off slot. The Troon men are six points behind their hosts and there will be three games left after this weekend.
“I was pretty happy with how we performed against a strong Glasgow Hawks side last week, but we will have to step it up if we are to get points from Mansfield Park,” said Chieftains head coach Mark Cairns before his side’s trip to the Borders.
“Hawick are well deserved favourites going into the fixture,” he added. “We had the favourites tag last season and we know it can create its own pressure, especially in front of an expectant home support.
“We need to remain in the fight for the full 80 minutes and stop Hawick from getting the scoreboard ticking up. We have trained well, I believe the game plan is sound and we have a talented group of players, so it’s set to be a great contest.”
Hawick are looking for their 14th consecutive win but head coach Matty Douglas insisted that there is no chance of complacency sneaking in.
“We will need to be at our best, but there’s a good buzz around the squad. We are focused on one thing and that’s a win.”
The other two matches in the division are Jed- Forest versus GHA at Riverside Park, with both teams hoping to kill off any lingering concerns about relegation, and thirdplaced Edinburgh Accies taking on fifth- placed Glasgow Hawks at Raeburn Place.