THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Published Date: 07 May 2010
By BILL LOTHIAN
CURRIE star Ross Weston insists his team have come too far to fall short now in their quest for a second Scottish Hydro Premiership title in three years.
But, at the same time, clubs' international No.8 Weston has issued a salutary warning that nothing must be taken for granted about facing Glasgow Hawks in a match switched from Anniesland where the posts are down to Burnbrae tomorrow when one point will secure the crown.

"In last season's visit to Hawks we found ourselves 30-0 up at half-time before slipping to a 33-20 defeat," recalled Weston, adding: "All right, there was a fierce gale blowing down the pitch but we were also on the receiving end from a very committed Hawks team and I don't remember ever going through to Glasgow and beating them.

"This time, though, we are a better balanced team compared to when we won the title previously and hopefully that will help see us through."

Currie have won their last four matches in impressive style since hopes of a league and cup double were ended in the knock-out semi-final at Melrose. Weston believes that setback might just have been a blessing in disguise in that it fuelled determination to finish the league campaign strongly.

"We sat down and analysed why we didn't perform admittedly against a very good Melrose team," he said. "From those discussions we have been able to overcome our shaky spell and the performance in beating Ayr (16-13) last week saw us live dangerously but, nevertheless, come through. At times near the end if was almost unbearably tense trying to keep Ayr out at the end and a bit too close for comfort so we'll be anxious to avoid cutting things so fine this week albeit on a day when absolutely nothing can be taken for granted."

The message from Weston, who looked on with colleagues as Heriot's just failed to snatch the win over Ayr that would have given Currie the title last night, is that a lot of confidence has been derived from overcoming the defending champions.

In looking to maintain those standards Currie make just one change to the starting line-up with Andy Binikos claiming the stand off berth from Graham White who drops down to the bench where Steve Burton comes in Gary Temple and Mike Entwhistle takes over from James Taggart.

Hopes that Scotland under-20 stand off Matthew Scott might recover from a shoulder injury in time to play have been dashed and Currie coach Ally Donaldson said: "Hawks are much improved and have been in good form of late. They will be desperate to prevent us winning the league and also attempting to secure fourth place in the league in case there are four Scottish teams in the next British and Irish Cup."

Hawks have a string of age group internationalists on duty and will be looking to send experienced prop Nick Cox off to a new job with a win, but Scotland under-19 stand off Duncan Weir has been called into the Glasgow squad for a Magners League clash at Llanelli Scarlets.

Hawks coach Peter Wright believes his side have a major incentive to finish in the top four. "That would be a huge improvement compared to last season's tenth place," he said.

This article was posted on 7-May-2010, 10:24 by Hugh Barrow.