EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

Now we'll really see who can handle the pressure
BILL LOTHIAN
DEFIANT Currie coach Ally Donaldson today threw down a gauntlet to three rivals now back in the Premiership rugby title race as a consequence of the club's back-to-back losses, insisting: "Now see how you like dealing with increasing pressure."

From seemingly having the title sewn up a fortnight ago, when they enjoyed an eight-point lead, Currie go into their penultimate match on Saturday, away to Heriot's, with their advantage cut to a mere two points - although depending on results around the country it could be a silverware parade for the yellow-and-blacks.

Other permutations could see Heriot's hit the front over the concluding two matches by winning both and hoping the other two teams above them, Watsonians and Ayr, lose.

But Donaldson is backing his charges to come good when it matters while taking nothing for granted.

Referring to the fact that Currie have led for 12 of the 16 weeks Donaldson said: "Ayr, Watsonians and Heriot's have all got a sniff of the title again. However, what that also means is that there is a wee bit more pressure on them now."

The message is that when it comes to coping at the top Currie are best equipped having set the pace for the past eight weeks during a resurgent season and know what to expect from rivals keen to dislodge them and claim a notable scalp.

So far as Saturday is concerned, too, Donaldson feels there could be a weight of expectation on Heriot's stemming from having gone to Currie in October and won 32-15.

"There will be a lot of people thinking Heriot's are favourites to beat us," he added. "Partly that will be because we lost to Ayr a week prior to going down against Glasgow Hawks on Saturday.

"Others will point to the fact that having beaten us already at Malleny Park it should be more straightforward for Heriot's at Goldenacre.

"What's certain is that we are under no illusions about how hard it is going to be on a day when a priority will be getting back to playing (good) rugby.

"Equally we cannot possibly put any more emphasis on keeping focused, but if there is any reminder needed it is that we'd rather be playing a Heriot's side with nothing to gain on the wider front than in their present position of hoping to come from fourth place to top in a fortnight."

The biggest trump card a Currie side whose lead was a constant six points throughout November can play though is self-belief, Donaldson maintains.

"The title is still in our own hands and while other teams will feel they have a chance it is entirely down to us."

While keen to stress the loyal support received from fans who can be expected to prioritise the encounter at Goldenacre over other festive-season distractions - "our supporters have been very good to us over the entire season" - typically Donaldson highlighted the benefits overall to the game from an enthralling campaign.

As a competition which has seen Heriot's, Watsonians and Boroughmuir all lead at various interludes draws to a close, Donaldson said: "It must be really exciting for the neutral to see four teams still in contention at this stage.

"Not only that, if it goes to the final day on January 13 then all four will be playing each other in one permutation or another."

Meantime, all eyes will be on Goldenacre where victory for Currie could have added significance in the event of an Ayr defeat at Hawks and a Watsonian home demise when confronting Boroughmuir in what is sure to be a hotly-contested derby.

That would mean a first ever title and while that would be a breakthrough, the officials at Currie are insisting via their web-site that lessons can be learned from more recent history.

Referring to a win at Watsonians in the first half of the campaign, a statement points out that victory came after successive defeats.

"You won again after two defeats by playing for each other," says the story in pointing the route to top honours.

This article was posted on 19-Dec-2006, 12:18 by Hugh Barrow.