Division 1: Melrose and Hawick ready to test borders of derby conflict




By David Barnes
THIS afternoon's Border derby clash between Melrose and Hawick at the Greenyards promises to be a typically rugged affair, with both sides knowing that a win will put some valuable daylight between themselves and the relegation zone.


No Scottish club has achieved more since the inception of league rugby in 1973 than either of these two sides. Between them they have won 18 out of 34 league championships, and although successes have been fewer and further between during the 13 years since professionalism, they have both managed to maintain positions in the top flight.

Melrose finished last season in inspirational form with a runaway victory over Heriot's in the final of the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup, and they were expected to mount a serious league challenge in this year's league campaign. So far, it has not quite worked out like that, with head coach Craig Chalmers identifying injuries as the key reason behind his team's inconsistent start to the season. They are currently eight places and 15 points behind Division One leaders Ayr – but Chalmers is confident that they can still be there or thereabouts when the silverware is dished out in March.

James Lew, an Australian sevens squad player, and Stan Williams, a Kiwi prop, both came off the bench for Melrose last weekend, and are expected to start today. Kenzac Palepoi, brother of Glasgow lock, Opeta, is also likely to feature.

"We're not looking at any other team. We are just concentrating on ourselves and making sure that when we turn up on Saturday we are totally focussed and ready to win the game," said Chalmers. "If we beat Hawick then pick up two or three more wins during the next couple of weeks we are right back in the mix. The league is going to be tighter than ever this year, and everyone is going to drop points between now and March, even Ayr, so we think we can still be challengers."

Although he would never publicly admit it, Hawick coach Jim Hay's aspirations are slightly less highfaluting. As a conveyer belt for rugby talent Mansfield Park is as effective as it has ever been, but the lure of city lights and the siren call of professionalism has created the situation whereby the once formidable Green Machine must rely heavily on home-grown youngsters still feeling their way into the senior game.

The Mansfield Park side thought they might be boosted by the experience of Edinburgh professional Calum MacRae, who was drafted to Hawick at the start of this season. But the utility back, who came through the ranks at Melrose, has withdrawn from the squad with a groin strain.

There are three big games being played in Edinburgh today. At Malleny Park, Currie are hoping to bring an end to the winning streak which has taken Heriot's to second in the league. At Raeburn Place, Edinburgh Accies host league leaders Ayr. And at Meggetland, champions Boroughmuir are looking to get their season back on track with a win over West of Scotland, which would go some way to blotting out the memory of consecutive losses to Heriot's and Ayr during the last fortnight. Last season's champions will be without stand-off Matt Cannon, who has not recovered from rib and back injuries, so Greg Cotterill deputises.

At Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks entertain Watsonians, while struggling Stirling County are looking for their first win of the season against Selkirk at Bridgehaugh.

This article was posted on 25-Oct-2008, 07:59 by Hugh Barrow.