THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Premier Division 1: McKillop backs Heriot's to exorcise ghosts of winters past




By DAVID FERGUSON
WITH the seemingly endless international season back into hibernation for a couple of months, in Scotland at least, the race is on in the club game to uncover a team that can reel in Ayr over the winter.


Kenny Murray's pacesetters in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division 1 have only twice come unstuck this season, both times on trips into the Borders. The first defeat they suffered was at first division newcomers Selkirk in October anADVERTISEMENTd last week they left the region with their tails between their legs once again, Melrose continuing their own revival much to the delight no doubt of the rest of the league chasers.

That has exposed a vulnerability about the Ayrshire outfit, but it is one that they remain confident of covering up now back at Millbrae, even though another Borders side, in the shape of struggling Hawick, head their way this afternoon.

The closest club to Ayr remain Heriot's, who last week routed Hawick 43-7 at Mansfield Park, to push them to just seven points behind the front-runners. Had the results been reversed and a potential 16-point gap opened up, it would have been difficult to believe Ayr were not beginning to cruise to their first league championship.

Heriot's coach Rob McKillop believes the winter grounds could play a key role in deciding the championship and warns against writing off his side – who host city rivals Watsonians today – as well as Melrose. He said: "In the last couple of seasons Heriot's have started poorly, got ourselves up to second place and then slipped off the pace at the top in the winter. I'm confident we can change that trend this season with players like Ian Nimmo and Alan Dymock having joined us, but the guys have to prove that, starting with this game against Watsonians.

"I do think it is going to be difficult to catch Ayr if they maintain the consistency they've shown so far but we'll give it a go and I would not bet against Melrose who are coming up hard on the rails."

Selkirk, meanwhile, a further six points adrift in third place, are out to restore some pride in front of their home support after last week's heavy 62-20 defeat at Currie. Glasgow Hawks will head into Philiphaugh knowing their own recent improvement, with victory in their city derby against West of Scotland, is set for a severe examination, but they were just edged out 25-24 by Selkirk at Anniesland this season and so know they have the ability to make life tough for the Souters. The Hawks are expected to be bolstered by the inclusion of two new recruits from the southern hemisphere.

Elsewhere, Currie make the short trip to Boroughmuir hoping to continue from where they left off in last week's nine-try spree against Selkirk, Melrose head across country to West of Scotland, and Edinburgh Academicals are away to Stirling County, who sent a warning shot out to those who under-estimate the league's bottom club last week with a victory away to Watsonians in the live BBC Alba match. Another win today could lift the Bridgehaugh club off the foot of the table. Dundee HSFP's superb win away to Jed-Forest last week has opened an eight-point gap at the top of Division Two and if Ian Rankin's side see off visitors Haddington today, and Biggar deal Jed another bloody nose, at Hartreemill, the Taysiders will take a major step towards a return to the top flight.

Today's matches are due to kick off at 2pm, with the following exceptions: SHE Premiership Division 1: Selkirk v Glasgow Hawks; Ayr v Hawick; Boroughmuir v Currie (all 3pm); Stirling County v Edinburgh Accies (2.30pm). Premiership Division 3: Kirkcaldy v Perthshire (3pm). SHE National League Division 2: Caithness v Kilmarnock (1pm). West League Division 2: Isle of Arran v Moffat (12.30pm); Millbrae v Carrick (1pm). West Regional League Division 3: Birkmyre v Lanark (1pm).

This article was posted on 29-Nov-2008, 08:32 by Hugh Barrow.