Dundee can get back on track against vulnerable Aberdeen

If there is any consolation for Dundee High when they face Aberdeen Grammar in National One at Mayfield tomorrow, it is that both teams were last weekend beaten by sides who had to overcome a bad start to the campaign.

Arguably, Aberdeen’s 37-24 home defeat by Cartha Queen’s Park was the worse of the two with Cartha showing only one in the win column before heading for Rubislaw but going back down to Dumbreck with five points in the bag having, in the view of one seasoned observer, completely outplayed the home side.

Whether that will be of any encouragement to Dundee remains to be seen because yet again they find themselves picking up the pieces after being turned over 42-27 at Poynder Park by a resurgent Kelso.

Dundee have rarely prospered in the borders and last Saturday was no exception. But the time to get their act together is fast running out with tomorrow seeing the last match of the first half of the league season.

Dundee are currently third-bottom of the table with only Cartha and Hamilton below them. But both are within striking distance so it is time for the Mayfield outfit to get a real push on to improve that three wins from 10 starts record.

For the second week running, it was a close-run thing for Kirkcaldy but again they came out at the wrong end of the scoreline, this time against JedForest at Beveridge Park, with the borderers pulling away to win 40-32 ,leaving Quinten Sanft’s troops with not even a losing bonus point.

This week will be an equally tough one for Kirkcaldy when they travel to Stoneyhill to face third in the table Musselburgh, who have won seven from 10.

Spare a thought for Howe of Fife who host Highland at Duffus Park after an horrific 86-7 defeat last week against Stewart’s-Melville in National Two.

That scoreline is only the bare bones of it however, as Howe travelled to Inverleith with, due to injury and unavailability, only 15 players and within quarter of an hour had lost two of them to a torn hamstring and concussion.

“The tsunami of injuries we have been facing was made even worse when we lost a prop later on,” said club president Chris Reekie.

“And we could put out a whole team of those injured at the moment.

“The youngsters just kept plugging away and we have had contact from Stewart’s-Melville expressing admiration for the way they kept going.

“We have lost some significant players to other clubs as well as suffering the horrendous injury list but recent events have stimulated a passion in the club to get ourselves out of the situation we find ourselves in.

“That awareness among the players and members is the positive that we take from the nightmare we face at the moment and hopefully that is what will sustain us going forward.”

Highland are going well and it could well be another uphill battle for the Howe lads – but there is a stirring within the club which could pull them through.

Perthshire gave National Three leaders Newton Stewart a fright at Bladnoch last week and the scoreline was a narrow one at 17-3 But even that didn’t tell the whole story since NS scored two tries while Shire were down to 14 men due to injury.

Caithness make the long haul to North Inch and if Perthshire can keep last week’s form going they must have a fair chance.

l Tonight – Tennents Caledonia Division Two (Midlands) – Stirling County 3rd v Blairgowrie (kick-off 7.30pm)

Tomorrow – Tennents National Division One – Musselburgh v Kirkcaldy, Dundee High Rugby v Aberdeen Grammar Rugby. Tennents National Division Two – Howe of Fife v Highland. Tennents National Division Three –Perthshire v Caithness. Tennents Caledonia Division Three (Midlands) – Angus Development v Grangemouth 2nd (2pm). Tennents Caledonia Division Four (Midlands) – Stobswell v Perthshire 2nd (2pm).