Cairns is gunning for the title, just don't mention his tries
BILL LOTHIAN
FLANKER Mark Cairns has banned himself from talking about scoring ahead of one of the biggest games in Currie's history as he attempts to dislodge colleague Geoff Caldwell from the top of the club try charts.

Currie head for Heriot's tomorrow knowing that if results elsewhere go in their favour they could take the Premiership title home.

And, while knowing that a spree of five touchdowns in four games has taken him up to 11, which is a notable total for a forward and just two less than pace-setting winger Geoff Caldwell, the Scotland Under-21 cap has set aside thoughts of striking a blow for those who toil at the coal face for possession ahead of those in the back-line.

"I started off the season racking up some tries (a one-per-game average over the opening month) and then when I started to challenge the likes of Geoff my scoring dried up.

"Buttoning my lip seems to have paid dividends because they have started to flow again so I just have to keep quiet in the knowledge that it wouldn't matter who scores a winning try at Heriot's just so long as he is in a Currie shirt."

Such sentiments are even more appropriate given that Currie are in the remarkable position of being in touching distance of the title - while trying to stave off a trio of defeats. Even the club web-site is admitting times are tough in an editorial headlined "Can't Get Over the Finishing Line."

Former Loughborough University star Cairns, 23, admits that as the heat increases a new approach is necessary. "When we had a cushion of eight points at the start of December the talk in the dressing room started to turn to how quickly we could wrap matters up. What that taught us was that if you start looking over your shoulder then you are only going to get caught.

"From here on in we are setting our sights no further than the 80 minutes beyond the first whistle and letting results elsewhere take care of themselves.

"We hold Heriot's in high regard but will take them on knowing that the past fortnight hasn't entirely been down to our failings. First up we lost at Ayr who are now our main challengers and who simply got the rub of the green when all else was equal in a quality match on their ground.

"After that we faced a Glasgow Hawks side who were always going to want to show their teeth given that they are the deposed champions. That said, there is a need for improved set-piece work because when we had the ball last weekend we were much more relaxed about what we were trying to do.

"So, in absorbing lessons we are now even more aware that rather than staring into the distance it is a case of needing to pick our knees up to charge past tomorrow's winning post - and do the same again in the concluding match if necessary.

"Above all, if anybody had suggested to us a deal whereby we'd be two points clear at the top with a couple of games remaining we'd have jumped at it. Sure, there's huge pressure attached to being top - look how quickly ourselves, Watsonians and Boroughmuir all relinquished pole position in the space of three weeks in October - but it is all put into perspective by matters still being in our own hands."

Cairns is convinced he doesn't have to look far for inspiration in playing his part in a title quest - approximately 40 miles, in fact.

"Rather than keep my mind off rugby in the build-up to an important match like Currie's potential first title clincher I'm glad Edinburgh are in action at Glasgow tonight. Not only do I enjoy watching my brother, Ben [Edinburgh], right, but these Celtic League games are a must for any aspiring players.

"Not only that, but there just might be something I can learn that will stand me in good stead if a similar situation arises tomorrow at Goldenacre."

On such attention to detail lies a Currie title challenge that is still very much alive.

Meanwhile Heriot's are battling a mystery virus in a bid to sustain their title challenge according to coach Bob McKillop, who says: "We have half a dozen players facing late fitness tests because of flu' or chest infections," says McKillop who plays down title chances saying: "We didn't train this week like a team under pressure and it would take a very, very odd turn of events for us to be champions."

But McKillop admitted incentives abounded: "We will be turning up to win because we want a top three finish; besides it would be good for the competition if the outcome went one stage more to the final day."

Added to the squad that won 48-37 at Boroughmuir is winger Marc Teague, utility forward Apo Satala and No.8 Roddy Deans. Dropping out are Andy Wilson, Gavin Broomfield and Will Oldham.

Only Currie can take the title tomorrow, however, and in that eventuality it is ironic that one of Heriot's greatest-ever players, Andy Irvine, will be at Goldenacre ready to hand over the trophy in his role as current SRU President.

This article was posted on 22-Dec-2006, 12:36 by Hugh Barrow.