THE top two meet in the RBS National League this afternoon on what promises to be quite a day at Mansfield Park.


Leaders Hawick welcome Glasgow Hawks to the Borders with a big crowd expected for a match which will have a big bearing on who eventually finishes first in the division and who has to settle for the second place play-off spot.

Currently Hawick have a ten- point lead, but Hawks have three games in hand and both sides come in to this one after victories over Hamilton and Stewart’s Melville respectively seven days ago.

Both sides make just one change to their starting XVs, Hawick bringing in Neil McComb on the wing for Scott McLeod while Tony Herron returns in the same position for Hawks for James Gormley. Herron has just recovered from a broken thumb that has sidelined him since November.

Glasgow Hawks co-coach Jamie Dempsey said: “These are the kind of games you want your club to be involved in. We know Hawick will have a big crowd behind them and we will need to be at our best to come away with a victory.”

Key will be the half-backs with Greg Cottrell and Rory Hutton going up against Paddy Boyer and Andy White.

The match starts at 2pm.

There are also big matches for the bottom two this afternoon.

Jed-Forest travel to Stewart’s Melville looking to build on last week’s win while Biggar host Selkirk off the back of victory over Watsonians.

Hamilton could do with a win away to Hillhead/Jordanhill to put to bed any lingering relegation fears that they have. Third-placed Watsonians host Kelso with the former looking to stop the slide they are on which has seen them lose five league matches in a row.

This article was posted on 23-Feb-2013, 10:48 by Hugh Barrow.