The championship is more hotly contested than many in recent times and there is an optimism that it can go to the wire this season, but these next two weekends are poised to create definite splits. The top bracket, the title contenders, has shrunk toADVERTISEMENT
a group of three, Currie setting the pace with Ayr just five points back, and with a game in hand, and Melrose hanging on by their fingernails after passing up a glorious chance to peg Currie's run last weekend at the Greenyards.

Craig Chalmers' side are now 11 points off the top, but they still have Ayr to play at home and Currie and Ayr will meet on the last day of the season in what could yet be the title decider. Melrose were buoyed by the naming of almost their entire back division in the Scotland Club International squad this week, but that will turn a bit sour if they cannot keep up their title challenge with wins away to Stewart's Melville today and in next week's home derby with Selkirk.

Edinburgh Accies coach Ian Barnes is hopeful that he has improved his side's scrummaging woes for their trip to Millbrae this afternoon, and the meeting with Ayr at Raeburn Place in September was tight (finishing 25-18 to Ayr), but with Currie also at home, to struggling Watsonians, there is unlikely to be a let-up in the leaders' feud this afternoon. There is also an appetising prospect of two potential Scotland internationalists going head-to-head to watch out for at Millbrae, Ruaridh Jackson starting at full-back but poised for a second-half shift to his more familiar fly-half role in opposition to Alex Blair, now enjoying regular game-time for Accies.

That comfortable second tier that usually forms around now in a 12-team league, where there is no fear of relegation, but supporters' hopes start turning to a cup run for excitement in the new year, has only Dundee HSFP as its occupants right now. They are back in action today at Selkirk, who also sat idle last weekend, wary of a side rediscovering form in a run of four games unbeaten.

Glasgow Hawks could ease nearer the comfort zone by claiming revenge for their two-point derby defeat at home to West of Scotland this afternoon at Burnbrae. West have similar ambitions though and Hawks have Ayr next weekend at home while West are away to Dundee, so today's city clash represents the best opportunity for both to create some cheer before the break.

Stewart's Melville have long since accepted their place in the battle to stay up, but victory over Edinburgh Accies has given the team a real lift. Their game at Dundee was off last week, but they have improved greatly since losing 29-6 at the Greenyards earlier in the season and an Inverleith win this afternoon combined with defeats for some of Watsonians, Heriot's, Selkirk, West and Boroughmuir, would inject a real excitement, or simply jangling nerves, to the lower echelons.

All of those teams are just a win or two above the drop zone and acutely aware of the preference for points to prizes right now.

The championship contender pot, the relegation-free but trophy-less mid-section or a place amidst the dogfight on the trap-door to the Second Division?

The next eight days are destined to make the prospects of an enjoyable Christmas much clearer for some.

This article was posted on 12-Dec-2009, 08:08 by Hugh Barrow.