Rugby: Ryan hopes Grammar’s term ends on time.

● Ryan hopes Hawick duel is on to avoid dragging out season to an Easter finish

Aberdeen Grammar number eight Greig Ryan hopes his side can avoid a prolonged end to the season.

A decision will be made today on whether the Aberdeen side’s trip to Mansfield Park to face Premiership third-placed Hawick tomorrow goes ahead.

Should the match be postponed fifth-placed Grammar face the prospect of seeing their campaign – which is due to conclude with next weekend’s home match against Marr – stretching to Easter.

Grammar have experienced this before and everyone at Rubislaw is eager to avoid a repeat.

Ryan said: “With two games left it would be nice to finish the season on time.

“We were talking about it in training this week and wondering what we’re going to do for the next five months until the new season starts.

“If the Hawick match is off we are looking at the possibility of not playing the final game until April – which would be a nightmare scenario.

“We were in a similar situation a few years ago

when we had played all our matches but there was a five-week gap to play our final match and it was tough staying focused for it.

“We were playing touch rugby for weeks but game fitness is key in rugby and the gap between the final two games really showed in our performance.”

Grammar are eager to make amends for a 31-14 home loss against Hawick on November 9. Ryan missed the game but, having watched it back, he knows the areas his side must improve on if they are to get a result in the final away match of the season.

He said: “We’re trying to finish the season with two wins but we’re under no illusions how tough a task that will be at Hawick.

“It’s a massive ask to go there and win and we’re missing a few players due to work commitments but we’re going down there with a squad of 20 and we will give it our best shot as to we try to gain some revenge for the game up here earlier in the season.

“I missed it but I’ve watched the video back and we gave up too much possession and allowed them to play.

“We didn’t shut them down and that’s what we have to do this weekend. We have to go to Mansfield, defend solidly and stop them at source.

“They have a strong pack and they are well organised. We have to stop their big guys from dominating the game.”

TOUCHDOWN: Greig Ryan scores – and the Grammar number eight wants two wins to end the season and to finish the games on time.

On the charge: Grammar are looking to make amends for their 31-14 loss to Hawick back in November

Photographs by Chris Sumner