EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
ALAN NASH has challenged Watsonians to prove they still have championship aspirations when Glasgow Hawks visit Myreside tomorrow.

Three successive defeats have taken the edge off 'Sonians' bid and seen them tumble from top to fifth in the table. But they still are just eight points off the pace with eight games remaining and full back Nash, who captained 'Sonians to Scottish Cup glory last season and who is poised to return after a two-month absence with hamstring damage, says the gap can be closed - provided there are no more slip-ups.

He said: "It is absolutely essential we go back to basics and stabilise things against Hawks.

"A couple of weeks ago, Currie came to us and produced a win playing pretty much no-frills rugby. At this stage, that is the template we have to adopt and at least there is encouragement to be taken from the fact we have been making chances.

"From now on it is about being more clinical in the opposition 22 because the potential remains to be successful and I look forward to being involved after a really dismal start to the season.

"All my pre-season work came unstuck just a quarter of an hour into the opening match and, on top of thumb and groin problems in 2005-06, I have a lot of time to make up for.

"On the positive side, I'm feeling fresh and particularly eager and anticipating my injury woe being behind me early in what can still be a long career ahead," said Nash, who is still just 22.

Adding to optimism is the arrival of Samoan centre Malasia Mailo who, on his home debut, may be expected to use his considerable physical presence to allow support runners to penetrate deep into the Hawks defence.

Nash says: "Malasia gives us another dimension and we will have to be at our best because, as well as having pace in the backs, Hawks have a choice of stand off in Murray Strang or Mike Adamson, both of whom know how to make best use of space.

"On top of that, the Hawks forwards are coached by Dave Cockburn, who will be returning to Myreside after a spell in charge of Watsonians."

The message is that Cockburn will be particularly keen to have Hawks firing to avenge a 21-7 home defeat in the corresponding fixture.

As Glasgow head coach David Wilson points out, though, that was at the beginning of the season when a host of replacement forwards were being groomed for a new-look pack.

Wilson is looking to the newcomers to show they are learning from experiences so that pride is salvaged from a season in which the title, after a three-year reign, looks out of reach.

"It was always going to be difficult replacing ten forwards, many of whom moved up to the pro ranks," said Wilson.

"The frustrating aspect of the season is that, despite such upheavals, there was only one match, at Boroughmuir, where I felt we were beaten by a truly better side.

"On every other occasion, we have contributed to our own downfall with mistakes, otherwise we could be up there challenging. That remains the measure of our side, although I have to be wary of a Watsonian team with everything to play for. Having lost ground in recent weeks, it is to be expected they will put in a special effort in the knowledge that they cannot afford to let Currie get out of sight.

"Having said that, I think I know how they will play with Mike Ker controlling matters if he is allowed to do so."

While Watsonians are poised to recall Nash, the visitors are set to give another chance to the side which lost at home to Heriot's with experienced prop Nick Cox still unavailable.

This article was posted on 3-Nov-2006, 12:42 by Hugh Barrow.