Published Date: 19 December 2009
By DAVID FERGUSON
AYR know what it is like to win a league championship long before the fat lady sings, but as they bid for a win at Old Anniesland today the aim is firmly on ensuring this year's title race goes right to the final day.
The reigning Premier One champions are currently in second spot, five points off the pace being set by Currie. They also know what it is to win a championship before the snow has stopped falling, but are struggling to release Ayr's grips on their ankles ahead of the winter break.

Kenny Murray, the Ayr coach, believes that any slip-up from here on in, however, would hand Currie the trophy, and has his side primed for an unbeaten finish to the final day, where Ayr travel to Malleny Park for what he hopes will be a winner-takes-all showdown.

"It is set up nicely for that at the end of the season the way the table looks right now, but there is a long way to go to that," he said. "From our point of view we don't see Currie losing this season because nobody is standing up and really saying they can beat them – I don't see anyone coming close – so we feel we have to win every game at the moment and try and get to that potential decider at the end of the season.

"Currie have done very well in picking up the bonus points, and that will be important, but at the moment it's hard enough just to win so that's the priority, and if we're in a good position then it's about pushing on for four tries at that stage. But, at the same time, when I compare the feeling now heading into Christmas to where we were this time last year, I actually feel as if being second has taken a bit of pressure off our guys.

"I know how Currie will be feeling. They also know they've got to keep winning and they have a good run of games away from home coming up, where they will be without their stand-off Matt Scott and Dougie Fife to Scotland under-20 duties. They have a strong squad and good players able to deputise, but things can change after the turn of the year and you get the twists and turns that you maybe didn't expect."

Glasgow Hawks remain a relatively young side, but they showed their pedigree last week with a thumping five-try win over West of Scotland that moved them up to fourth place above Dundee on points difference. They are hoping Old Anniesland beats the night freeze and allows the team to claim a second Glasgow district scalp in successive weeks.

Murray added: "They are a very good side when things click and they have made Old Anniesland a difficult place to visit and come away with points from. But we need to win; it's as simple as that, if the championship is to go all the way. We have probably got our strongest side out with Ruaridh Jackson and Pat McArthur released by Glasgow, and Ruaridh will start at full-back again but get a run at ten to help him get back into the swing for Glasgow at some point.

"But I'm also pleased that Frazier (Climo] has recovered from an ankle injury he suffered last week, after being taken out in the Edinburgh Accies game, because he's an important player for us. With the talented youngster Duncan Weir at stand-off for them, it should be a good battle. I'm expecting a good game, but, as I say, whether it is or not we have to win."

Last night's Premier One match between Boroughmuir and Watsonians, meanwhile, fell victim to the weather. The Meggetland pitch passed an inspection in the morning despite the cold snap in Edinburgh but was then deemed unplayable around an hour before kick-off. And today's clash between Dundee HSFP and West of Scotland was called off last night.







Hawks team to play Ayr at Old Annniesland on Saturday k.o. 3.00 p.m,
Hawks 2nd xv will play Ayr at New Anniesland k.o 2.00 p.m

15 Andy White
14 Robbie Hair
13 Ian Noble
12 Graham Harkness
11 Kerr Gossman
10 Duncan Weir
9 Craig Gossman
1 Gary Strain
2 Eric Milligan
3 Nick Cox
4 Callum Harvey
5 Mat Whittleston
6 Rory McKay
8 Grant Strang
7 George Oommen

SUBSTITUTES/REPLACEMENTS

16 Joe Stafford
17 John MacLay
18 Greg Francis
19 Peter Jericevich
20 Mike Adamson

This article was originally posted on 17-Dec-2009, 19:07 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 20-Dec-2009, 00:16.