The interest to the neutral observer in this week’s RBS Premier 1 fixtures lies at mid-table with five points separating Ayr in fourth place and Stirling County in eighth. It’s therefore a must-win scenario for all five teams here to ensure they can keep the pressure off as the RBS Premier split approaches. 
 
Ayr take on Boroughmuir at Millbrae, Currie host Dundee HSFP, Aberdeen Grammar travel to Raeburn Place to play Edinburgh Accies and Stirling County challenge Gala for the Bill McLaren Shield. Elsewhere,  Melrose take on Hawick at the Greenyards and at the bottom of the table Heriot’s in 10th travel to Old Anniesland to take on Glasgow Hawks currently in 11th place. 
 

It's a big day for Gala coach George Graham as his charges face his former club, Stirling County
 
Edinburgh Accies v Aberdeen Grammar, Raeburn Place, 3pm
This is the first time in this season’s RBS Premier 1 that the two promoted sides have gone up against each other. Aberdeen Grammar currently sit seventh in the table two places above Accies in ninth. However with the home advantage Accies will be desperate to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Stirling County.
 
Edinburgh Accies head coach, Simon Cross, said: “Last week was the most disappointing performance of our campaign to date.
 
“Our set-piece was poor, we had poor physicality.
 
“A lack of go-forward has led to changes this week ahead of our vital clash against a buoyant Aberdeen side. I’m putting out the most physical side that we have.”
 
 Aberdeen Grammar head coach, Alex Duncan, said: “The squad delivered a very effective match winning performance against a tough Hawks side and now have positioned themselves for an eight-point game against Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place.
 
“We are no strangers to the disciplined and aggressive Accies defence and our new squad of players are ready to take them on in what will be a very tough encounter.”
Edinburgh Accies team: Jamie Sole; Matt Coupar, Ross Browne, Iain Berthinussen, Jake Knight; Stuart Evans, Alex Black; Duncan MacLeod, Michael Liness, Kenny Blyth, Greg Campbell, Dan Teague (captain), Callum Reid, Jamie Taggart, Tom Drennan.
Replacements: Scott Jeffers, Tom Jackson, Nathan Pike, Andy Lamb, Ruaridh Bonner.
Aberdeen Grammar team: Steven Aitken; Callum Anderson, Will Wardlaw, Warwick Percival, Erland Oag; Rob Aloe (vice-captain), Morgan Ward; Nicki Fraser, Sean O’Connor, Callum McConnachie, Ed Nimmons, Murray Douglas (captain), Sandy Warnock, Tony McGuiness, Greig Ryan.
Replacements: Matt Dixon, Moray Low, Rab Barrie, Apelu Alapati, Fraser Lyle.
Glasgow Hawks v Heriot’s, Old Anniesland, 3pm
 
Heriot’s head coaches, Mark Appleson and Graham Marshall, said: “Getting to the sharp end of the season and this is a huge game for Heriot’s.
 
“Training has gone well this week and the boys are looking forward to a trip through to the west on Saturday.”
Glasgow Hawks team: Peter Jericevich; Craig Gossman, David McCall, Gavin McDonald, Kerr Gossman; Mike Martin, Kris Hamilton; Steven Findlay, Jack MacFarlane, John Lohoar, Rory McKay, Nick Campbell, Steven Lecky, Bart Karalus, Andrea Barbieri.
Replacements: Scott Cameron, Paul Henderson, Rory Hamilton, Paddy Robinson, Tom Steven.
Heriot’s team: Colin Goudie; Andy Scott, Cameron Ferguson, Jordy Kohn, Max Learmouth; Sam Hidalgo Clyne, Graham Wilson; Alan Dymock, Kevin Bryce, Gavin Cameron, Ross Martin, CJ Osazuwa, Robin Cessford, Matt Reid, Jason Hill.
Replacements: Stuart Mustard, Struan Cessford, Ruaridh Wilson, Richard Tran, Calum Mark.
Gala v Stirling County, Netherdale, 3pm
Gala remain unchanged both in the starting XV and on the bench from last weekend’s victory over Hawick as they host Stirling County in their attempt to defend the Bill McLaren Shield at Netherdale for a second time. Eddie Pollock makes two changes bringing in Ben Addison at full-back and Jamie Mountford in the second row.
 
Stirling County head coach, Eddie Pollock, said: “This is another big test against a Gala side who have shown great teamwork and work rate to get to second place in the league.
 
“George Graham (Gala’s coach) is one of Stirling’s favourite sons so will be desperate to do well in this encounter.”
 
Gala team: Bryce Turner; Shaun Law, Chris Auld, Alan Emond, Craig Robertson; Lee Millar, George Graham; Lewis Bertram, Russell Anderson, Ewan McQuillin, Chris Weir, Opeta Palepoi, Garry Graham, Gary Lowrie, Euan Dods.
Replacements: Paul Stewart, Craig Keddie, David Marshall, Andy McLean, Craig Borthwick.
Stirling County team: Ben Addison; Graeme Lindsay, Danny Gilmour, Brian Archibald, Ross Aitken; Stuart Edwards, Sean Kennedy; Mike McDonald, Alex Moffat (captain), Gary Mountford, Jamie Mountford, Robert McAlpine, Tim Clarke, Robbie Boswell, Bengi Barsanti.
Replacements: Reynor Kennedy, Steven Raby, Struan Robertson, Steve Swindall, David Maw.
Ayr v Boroughmuir, Millbrae, 3pm
Ayr will entertain Boroughmuir at Millbrae this Saturday with both teams looking to increase consistency in their 2011/12 campaigns. Boroughmuir have missed a win by a matter of points in the last two weekends, while Ayr introduce Gordon Sykes back into the front row. 
Ayr head coach, Kenny Murray, said:  “We enjoyed a good win last Saturday at Goldenacre in wet conditions, yet we managed to play some attractive and quick rugby.
 
“Our defence played a big part in that success and there is no doubt a similar quality and effort will be required to meet the challenge Boroughmuir will pose.
 
“They have had fine performances in the league so far and will come to Millbrae with confidence having lost narrowly to Melrose and Currie.
 
“Our players have trained hard this week and are looking forward to testing themselves against Meggetland's best. It has the makings of a fine game with both sides guaranteed to give it their all in front of what we hope will be a decent crowd.
 
“It's Ladies' Day at Millbrae and our supporters ranks will be swelled with 180 women who are coming for lunch. It's a mouth-watering prospect all round!”
Boroughmuir head coach, Fergus Pringle, said: “This is our third big game in a row and we hope it will be third time lucky. We have been so close over the last two weeks and the game at Millbrae will be another big game for both sides.
“It’s definitely one to watch for the neutrals in the crowd– we just have to eliminate the errors and play at the intensity we have over the last two games to achieve the result.”
Ayr team: Grant Anderson; Steven Manning, Ross Curle, Mark Stewart (captain), Sylvian Diez; Robbie Ferguson, AJ MacFarlane; Gordon Sykes, Hayden Wisnewski, Andy Kelly, Josh Dunning, Colin White, John Willis, Andy Dunlop, Graham Fisken.
Replacements: Stuart Fenwick, Scott Sutherland, Craig Davidson, Blair McPherson, Cammy Taylor.
Boroughmuir team: Ally Warnock; Sep Visser, Malcolm Clapperton, Stephen Wilson, Jordan Webster; Harry Leonard, Sam Johnson; Robin Hislop, Sean Crombie, Bryce Blair, Greg Scott, Ali Davidson, Jamie Swanson, Andrew Rose, Iain Moody.
Replacements: Jonny Latta, Nick Fraser, Matt Harvey, Ross Bradford, Mark Hare.
Melrose v Hawick, The Greenyards, 3pm
Melrose and Hawick go head-to-head in what promises to be a fiery Borders derby. Craig Chalmers promotes Chris Hardie into the first XV after strong performances with the 2s.
 
Melrose head coach, Craig Chalmers, said: “We were disappointed to lose last weekend to a stuffy and well-drilled Dundee side.
 
“We probably got what we deserved at the end of the day for not being accurate enough in a number of areas. This weekend is top versus bottom, but that means nothing when Hawick play Melrose.
 
“I have worked with some of the Hawick players over the past couple of weeks with the South and know they have some really talented players.
 
“This is a massive game for us and it's vitally important that we get back to winning ways. A Border derby will certainly focus the players’ minds.”
Melrose team: Fraser Thomson; Chris Hardie, Jamie Murray, Cameron Murray, Joe Helps; Andrew Skeen, Bruce Colvine; Chris Keen, Richard Ferguson, Nick Beavon, Gary Elder, Peter Eccles, Ross Miller, Grant Runciman, Graham Dodds (captain).
Replacements: Alun Walker, Keiran Cooney, Ross Ovens, Scott McCormick, Bruce Dick.
Hawick team: Neil McColm; Steven Anderson, Lee Armstrong, Gary Johnstone, Steven Bouglas; Neil Renwick, Greg Cottrell; Rory Sutherland, Lindsey Gibson, Sean Linton, Keiran Willison, Keith Davies, Nick MacTaggart, Danny Landels, Bruce McNeil (captain).
Replacements: Matthew Landels, Nicky Little, Hue Scammell, Craig Russell, Rory Scott.
Currie v Dundee HSFP, Malleny Park, 3pm
Both teams in this fixture will be on a high after last weekend, Dundee travelling to Malleny Park with a confident win over league leaders Melrose and Currie currently on a run of four consecutive wins. Dundee’s South African exchange player, Tom Seabala, gets the nod on the left wing after a strong performance off the bench last week.
 
Currie head coach, Ally Donaldson, said: Dundee will be on the crest of a wave after a fantastic victory against Melrose last week.
 
“They have an experienced, well-drilled pack who have been together for a number of years and some quality newcomers behind the scrum.
 
“We are fully aware of the challenge ahead and the importance of this match.
 
“We are also still seeking both individual and collective improvements and look forward to playing at Malleny.”
 
Dundee HSFP head coach, Ian Rankin, said: “Playing the British & Irish Cup teams over three weeks is a real challenge and although we are delighted with our win against Melrose last week it has been noted that Currie have been showing their true colours and are on a menacing roll since their difficult start to the season.”
Currie team: Jamie Forbes; Barry Mansfield, Douglas Fife, Andy MacMahon, David Smith; Andrew Binikos, Richard Sneddon; John Cox, Fergus Scott, Colin Phillips, Simon Marcell, Gary Temple, Mark Cairns, Mike Entwhistle, Ross Weston.
Replacements: Billy Elmslie, Ross Merrilees, Adam Best, Steve Burton, Alan Whittingham.
Dundee HSFP team: Jamie Urquhart; Andrew McLean, Robbie Lavery, Colin Strachan, Tom Seabala; Cam Brown, Andy Dymock; Neil Dymock (captain), Simon Forrest, Alan Brown, Richard Hawkins, Andy Linton, Chris Cumming, Jamie Morrison, Danny Levison.
Replacements: Darell Russell, Gavin Robertson, Richie McIver, Jack Steele, Harry Duthie.
 

This article was posted on 14-Oct-2011, 17:46 by Hugh Barrow.