SCOTTISH HYDRO PREMIER DIVISION ONE
FRIDAY NIGHT, LIVE ON BBC RADIO SCOTLAND 810MW

Edinburgh Accies v Currie – AT MALLENY PARK (Friday 16 October, kick-off 7.30pm)
Friday night will see the second live broadcast of a Scottish Hydro Premier One derby with tonight’s clash between Edinburgh Accies and the unbeaten league leaders Currie who last weekend put 88 points past Selkirk.
Accies got back to winning ways last weekend with a high-scoring win over city rivals Boroughmuir after a win drought of three straight games, however, despite their return to form, they will have a tough task of marshalling a Currie side who have set the league alight this season winning seven straight games and scoring an average of 46 points per game.
Edinburgh Accies coach, Ian Barnes, said: “Currie are unbeaten this season so it’s a tough ask but we have done well under the lights at Malleny in the past and we will be giving it our best shot tomorrow night”.
Currie coach, Ally Donaldson, added: “Edinburgh Accies represent a formidable challenge. They have quality players throughout their team and a good mix of youth and experience both on the pitch and within their coaching set up.
“They will also recollect the last time they came to Malleny Park on a Friday night and knocked us out of the Cup when we were league champions”.
Naturally the best place to catch tonight’s action is at Malleny Park but, if you can’t make the game, tune in to 810MW to hear this weekend’s first installment of Premier One rugby.


Melrose v Heriot's
Craig Chalmers’ Melrose will host Heriot’s in what is shaping up to be a fiery re-enactment of 2008/09 Scottish Hydro Cup final.
Heriot’s were victors on that day but have a tough challenge ahead of them as they make the trip to the Greenyards to face a Melrose side who will be keen to get back to winning ways after experiencing only their second loss of seven away to Ayr last weekend.
Heriot’s coach, Bob McKillop, said: “We were all disappointed with our showing against Dundee last week and are determined to bounce back with a much-improved performance but Melrose will also be looking to bounce back from last week, and will come out all guns blazing.”
Chalmers added: “We had a disappointing result last week at Ayr but we must put that behind us and learn from the experience. It is imperative we bounce back with a win against Heriot’s to try and keep up with league leaders Currie and second placed Ayr.
“Heriot’s are a good rugby playing side and we are expecting a tough battle with them this weekend.”


Dundee High Rugby v Watsonians
Newly promoted Dundee Rugby are quickly becoming the story of the 2009/10 season.
With the fourth-placed Taysiders claiming big wins at home and away this season, Watsonians will have their work cut out as they head for Mayfield in search of a fourth win from eight matches.
Dundee director of rugby, Ian Rankin said: “Watsonians’ record of four home defeats has been countered by winning all three of their away games which will ensure we are totally focused for their visit this weekend.
“We have had to crank up our performances over the last few weeks and realise that even after some encouraging results we will need to be on the very top of our game to come out on top against a cosmopolitan Watsonians’ squad”.


Selkirk v West of Scotland
West of Scotland and Selkirk will go head to head at Philiphaugh this weekend in a game that both teams will view as a good chance to get some much needed points.
Selkirk will be keen to put any memories of last weekends’ heavy defeat to Currie behind them while West will be buoyed by last weekend’s home win over Stewart’s Melville on home soil.
West of Scotland coach, John Beattie, said: It’s another important game, this time against Selkirk who are always immense on their home pitch – a place we respect a lot with their community rugby ethos and tradition”.
Selkirk head coach, Michael Jaffrey, said: “Things are getting tough and our opponents, West, know only too well how that feels.
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to the game and hoping that we can exorcise the demons from Currie.”


Glasgow Hawks v Boroughmuir
Glasgow Hawks welcome 2007/08 league champions Boroughmuir for a mid-table clash at Old Anniesland. Hawks will have welcomed last weekend’s crucial away win over Watsonians which kept them in the top half of the table.
After conceding 40 points at home to Edinburgh Accies last weekend Boroughmuir’s defence will have to be switched on keep a clinical Hawks attack in check.
Hawks coach, Peter Wright, said: “After a good victory away last week against Watsonians we are looking to carry that form into the game against Boroughmuir. Boroughmuir’s form has been a bit up and down this season but we know this will be a tough game and for this reason we have made one or two changes from last week to make our team stronger and more competitive.”


Stewart’s-Melville FP v Ayr
Winless Stewart’s Melville host current champions Ayr – who have lost just once this season – at Inverleith on Saturday.
Ayr coach, Kenny Murray, said: “Following the defeat to Dundee the players bounced back in outstanding fashion against a very good Melrose team and now must continue that form for the games ahead.
“This week sees the return of key players in Andy Dunlop, Andy Wilson and Grant Anderson enabling us to field our strongest squad so far this season. Historically St Melville has been a difficult place for Ayr to win and we anticipate a tough encounter this weekend”.

This article was originally posted on 16-Oct-2009, 14:36 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 16-Oct-2009, 15:10.