SCOTTISH HYDRO PREMIER ONE
Dundee HSFP v Ayr
Unbeaten Ayr travel to Mayfield this weekend to face a Dundee side full of confidence having won their last three games on the trot. The visiting champions are boosted by the return of associated Glasgow pro Ed Kalman and the return of Stuart Fenwick (hooker).
Ayr coach, Kenny Murray, said: “We had good win last week against a strong Hawks side but need to improve discipline in key areas of the park.
“Dundee will pose a real physical challenge, particularly their drafted pros Fraser Mckenzie and David Young from Edinburgh in the side.
“Ayr will have to be on top of their game to come away with any points.”
Looking forward to the test Ayr will provide, Dundee coach, Ian Rankin, added: “Chris Cumming and Matt Smith are both available for selection after being unavailable over the last few weeks. With the seconds having a good win against West last Saturday I am looking forward to a game that will give a measure of where we are in our return to the top table.”
Glasgow Hawks v Heriot's
Hawks welcome Heriot’s to Old Anniesland on Saturday. The hosts have been unlucky so far this season having with only two wins from five to show for their efforts so far this season – two of their losses have been by just two points – and will be keen to utilise the home advantage over a resurgent Heriot’s team.
Heriot’s coach, Bob McKillop, said: “Until the final 10 minutes last week we defended very well against a strong Accies attack. We will have to do the same again this weekend against a Hawks team with a very good mix of experience and youth.”
Edinburgh Accies v Watsonians
Both halves of this Edinburgh derby have lost their last two games in a row. Accies’ Fijian international stand-off Jack Prasad has been cleared to play in Scotland and is on the bench alongside associated Edinburgh pro Ross Sampson.
Stewart's Melville v Selkirk
The prospect of getting their first win of the season dangles in front of the two bottom-placed clubs going head to head this weekend.
The hosts have made a number of changes behind the scrum with Hayden Lindgard returning to full-back, Richard Borthwick starts on the wing, Alex Cox and Craig Marshall return from injury to partner in the centres and Jamie Allan starts at stand-off.
Stewart’s-Melville coach, Graeme Moffat, said: “We need to improve our discipline, Currie scored four of six tries last week when we were down to 14 men, so we are under no illusion as to the importance of keeping a full complement of players on the pitch at all times.
“As to Selkirk, the recent history against them sees us winning at home and we hope that continues on Saturday and we can get our campaign up and running.”
Melrose v West
Third-placed Melrose, with four wins and one loss, host third-bottom West of Scotland, with coincidently just one win and four losses. Melrose will start out with the same starting team as last weekend’s win over Selkirk though Gary Elder and associated Glasgow pro, peter Horne comes on to the bench.
Melrose coach, Craig Chalmers, said: “We are looking to continue our winning run to try and stay close to Ayr and Currie.
“West are a very capable side and have already showed what they are capable of by beating a very well drilled Hawks team away from home.”
West head coach, John Beattie, added “West are keen to make amends for a poor display against Dundee last week. Melrose will be tough both up front and behind but we want to go to the Greenyards and get a win.”
Boroughmuir v Currie
The second Edinburgh derby of the weekend sees the only other unbeaten team in the league, Currie, traveling to Meggetland to face a Boroughmuir side who so far have had a relatively indifferently season.
Currie’s associated pro-player, Chris Kinloch, returns at outside-centre while Andrew Binikos comes in for Matt Scott at stand-off. John Cox comes back into starting line up at loose head.
Boroughmuir coach, Fergus Pringle added: "Currie are going well so it should be a good hard test for our guys.”

This article was posted on 2-Oct-2009, 22:26 by Hugh Barrow.