EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN
STEWART'S/MELVILLE president Gordon Rigby has urged his side not to be carried away with the prospect of avoiding relegation, starting in tomorrow's home Premiership Division One club against Aberdeen Grammar FPs, through renewed calls for league reconstruction.

"First and foremost we want to extend our current six match unbeaten league run so that any attempts to alter the shape of the competition can take place without us ultimately being affected by the number of teams going down," said Rigby.

Having said that, Rigby confirmed that Stew/Mel's incentives include retaining players who might otherwise be advised to seek out higher grade challenges which is at the heart of club concerns.

"Around ten years ago we had the heart ripped out of our club through players moving on and we'd hate to find ourselves in a similar position," he admitted.

"The fears of many - and this is why the issue could be raised at this summer's SRU AGM - are that promising players would have to move or find their development held back.

"With that in mind there is a view that adding teams would increase options with the likes of Cartha QP, Gala or Jed-Forest having much to offer the top division rather than reducing numbers.

"As a promoted club Stew/Mel were not party to discussions about shrinking the league to ten teams, which is partly what this season is about.

"In discussions with rival clubs, though, it is hard to see where the seven who voted in favour came from and the matter of overturning that decision is bound to be on the agenda for a Premier clubs meeting at Murrayfield next Wednesday.

"It promises to be an eventful evening because other matters to be ironed out especially if a 14-team league is introduced is whether this is based on two teams dropping down this season and four coming up or scrapping relegation altogether.

"Also with 26 league fixtures plus cup ties that could mean extending the season well into April, which might not suit clubs like ourselves, Watsonians and Heriot's, who are dependent on schools for pitches. Lack of floodlighting is also an issue in two of these three cases."

Meanwhile for tomorrow's clash with Aberdeen Rigby is adamant the key lies in the way the Stew/Mel pack - the team is unchanged - rise to the occasion.

"From watching videos of our first meeting we know how adept Aberdeen are at forming rolling mauls and much will hinge on how we can put them on the ground and not allow their drives to re-group," said Rigby.

Possible reconstruction was touched upon today, too, by Currie coach Ally Donaldson, pictured left, in recalling Simon May, Barry Morrison and Steve MacEwan to a squad who will be without Andy Adam and Gavin Scott.

"We want to keep matters in our own hands and not be dependent on others to keep us up but on the subject of changes when not top four and bottom four play-offs to settle issues?

"Everybody except Hawks and Watsonians can theoretically still be relegated and this would add much excitement to the programme," said Donaldson.

Elsewhere, Boroughmuir manager Grant Wilson, in welcoming Charlie Keenan back from injury to an extended squad, is anxious that champions elect Glasgow Hawks are prevented from putting the finishing touches to their title challenge at Meggetland.

"Not on our manor has to be the message," said Wilson.

For Heriot's, a trip to Biggar could see prop Malcolm Welch enter the frame while Watsonians head for Stirling County with Will Campbell, Jamie Blackwood, David Payne and Gavin Brown all returning.

This article was posted on 24-Feb-2006, 12:33 by Hugh Barrow.