The Scotsman reports

DUNCAN SMITH ([email protected])
A BLOCKBUSTER afternoon of club rugby in the capital serves to illustrate the fact that this season has heralded an unmistakable power-shift towards Edinburgh.

Going into last weekend\'s fixtures, Edinburgh clubs occupied the first four league positions - an almost unprecedented situation at such a relatively advanced stage of the season.

With Glasgow Hawks entering an apparent transitional phase after a three-year hegemony as near-untouchable champions, and the Borders clubs facing well-documented travails, the capital clubs are striving to cash in.

Bottom side Aberdeen Grammar, who have failed to conjure up the big breakthrough they threatened a couple of years ago, also appear to be struggling. Although Damien Reidy\'s men did shrug off a similarly slow start last term to eventually finish third.

Ayr gatecrashed the cosy Edinburgh cabal last week to move up to fourth but a glance at the league table and today\'s fixture list shows that today\'s most significant action will take place within a six-mile radius of Murrayfield. Leaders Watsonians travel to the new-look Meggetland for what promises to be a cracker of a Colinton derby, while early pacesetters Currie host fifth-placed Heriot\'s at Malleny Park.

It\'s too early to say if we are entering a prolonged period of Edinburgh dominance in Scottish club rugby. For a start, it seems clear that rumours of the Hawks\' demise have been greatly exaggerated after they brutally ended Currie\'s 100 per cent record with a 42-5 win last week. The champions lost half-a-dozen key players to retirement, other clubs and the pro ranks in the summer, leaving coach David Wilson with a major rebuilding job.

The question of the Borders slump - the game\'s traditional heartland has only two teams in the top flight, with Melrose and Hawick third and second bottom respectively - is more ambiguous. Much has been made of socio- economic factors, youth moving away to the cities and so on, but that had been a long-standing problem even four or five years ago when arguably better city teams were regularly being turned over at the Greenyards and Mansfield Park. Perhaps the major factor is that the Borders as a region - which has accounted for 23 club titles to Edinburgh\'s six since the official championship began in 1973/74 - is less equipped to deal with its best young talent being creamed off to boost the professional ranks.

Currie coach Ally Donaldson said: \"I guess it\'s a case of players gravitating towards Edinburgh. But speaking from a Currie perspective that actually makes it harder for us as the players are more likely to join the more central clubs. I suppose it is good for Edinburgh rugby, and we could have Stewart\'s-Melville and Edinburgh Accies up next season.

\"But after last week we know not to write off the Hawks. They are still a very strong set-up and Davey Wilson is an excellent coach. As the main Glasgow club they\'re in a great position as they can have the pick of the players in their area. I also really hope the Border teams do come back. It would be terrible if Hawick or Melrose went down and left only one Border club in the top division - although I don\'t think it will happen.

\"I suppose it\'s no real concern of ours but I\'m a traditionalist and believe the Borders should have a strong representation at the top of the club game.\"

Boroughmuir coach Eamon John believes that the Edinburgh dominance is transitory: \"It\'s certainly interesting, and maybe population and demographics have something to do with it,\" he said. \"But Ayr are up there and the Hawks had a big win last week so they\'re by no means out of it. I suppose it\'s good for the Edinburgh clubs to be to the fore but I think it\'s a one-off.\"

The emergence of Currie and Watsonians as the top two after eight games is no great surprise. The Malleny Park side, who are looking for their first ever championship, finished last season strongly, reached the cup final, and have been boosted by the return of players like Ally Warnock from the pro game.

Watsonians are open about the fact they pay their players and have built a strong squad as a result. The two sides meet at Myreside next weekend but any thoughts on what could prove a pivotal encounter will be put firmly on hold until after this afternoon.

This article was posted on 14-Oct-2006, 06:37 by Hugh Barrow.