Transitional season could scupper High

Club rugby’s alignment for the brave new world of Super 6 next season appears to now be on the table, and it’s not great reading for Dundee High or Kirkcaldy.

The working party chaired by Gavin MacColl QC has recommended that the six club XVs of the Super Six sides drop into National League Division One for next season, and the top six of National One this year – currently Marr, Jed-Forest, GHA, Selkirk, Musselburgh and Gala – should all move up to the Premiership.

So unless the Super 6 is delayed – MacColl doesn’t make any recommendation, suggesting it’s not even on the table – then High and the Blues will be in a division including the club sides of the likes of Melrose, Ayr, Watsonians, Heriot’s and the like.

The working group’s findings will have to be ratified by a further SGM of the SRU, probably to be held in late March.

Had it been any of the last few seasons, High would have been comfortably in the top six and looking at a return to the Premiership, but timing is everything and a transitional season has come at the wrong time.

Last week in Selkirk young prop Jack Newth became the 50th player to have seen first XV action for High this season, which gives a good indication of the difficulties they have had.

This week it’s back to the Borderland and a tester against Jed-Forest, who have clear designs on Marr at the top of the division, lying a point behind having played a game more.

Kirkcaldy went down 36-17 to Gala to remain in the bottom two, and they host Hamilton at Beveridge Park, the Bulls having suddenly got a bit of life after New Year with successive wins at home.

Another against the Blues might pull them clear of danger, but Kirkcaldy have been a far more competitive outfit at home throughout this campaign.

Howe of Fife remain rooted to the foot of National Two after last week’s home game against Preston Lodge failed to beat the freeze.

This week they’re at GHK, who lie just two points and two places above them, and the Glasgow side have fallen into the scrap at the bottom of the table with a run of six successive defeats.

Perthshire’s feeling that they were on the cusp of a big win to start 2019 was confirmed with a handsome 39-6 victory at Haddington, their first win away from the North Inch since September.

That took Shire ahead of this weekend’s visitors Hillhead Jordanhill, into the relatively comfortable position of eighth, with every prospect they can push higher. They also now have a five point advantage on Orkney in 10th, the third relegation spot from the division, with two games in hand to boot.

Strathmore’s advantage at the top of Caledonia One is still 11 points, even if the weather has knocked out two of their three fixtures so far this year.

They host bottom club Harris this weekend which will keep the pressure on Dunfermline, who are now the only side with the remotest chance of hauling Strathie in after last week’s hard-fought win at Glenrothes. Dunfie are away to Ellon.

Blairgowrie still top Caley Two after having a week off from league business, losing in the semis of the Midlands Shield against Grangemouth. They are at Kirkcaldy IIs this weekend, with second-placed Stirling Accies hosting Madras.