Hawks and Hawick in must-win game
Glasgow Hawks enter into a must-win game against Hawick at Old Anniesland on Saturday if they are to have a chance of making the BT Premiership play-offs. Hawks are currently sitting in sixth position and with Hawick in fifth, both sides are looking to keep their top four aspirations alive.The first game back after the festive break provides both teams with an opportunity to build on recent form and results.Glasgow Hawks Head Coach, Peter Laverie, said: “Our players are very aware of what is at stake and they have worked hard during the festive break and in training this week.This promises to be a hard-fought tussle with both teams giving it their all.”Hawick Head Coach, Nikki Walker, said: “Glasgow Hawks will be a physical challenge and are always hard to beat, so we will have to be on form to come away with the result needed.”Elsewhere, Melrose and Currie go head-to-head at The Greenyards as second take on fourth.Gala host Heriot’s at Netherdale, Boroughmuir visit Bridgehaugh to face Stirling County and table-toppers Ayr welcome Selkirk to Millbrae. The Teams…Glasgow Hawks v Hawick, Old Anniesland, 3pmGlasgow Hawks: Peter Murchie; Robert Beattie, Brendan McGroarty CAPTAIN, Jack Steele, Kerr Gossman; Gregor Hunter, Paddy Boyer; Jerry Yanuyanutawa, Jack Macfarlane, Garry Strain, Scott Cummings, Andrew Linton, James Eddie, Matt Smith and Andrew Hill. Replacements: Grant Stewart, Brendan Cullinane, Andrew Davidson, Robbie Houliston, Patrick Kelly.Hawick: Ali Weir; Steven Anderson, Wiann Griebenhow, Rory Hutton, Craig Russell; Lee Armstrong, Shaun Goodfellow; Shaun Muir, Ross Graham, Simon Bergham, Craig Charters, Scott MacLeod, Bruce McNeil CAPTAIN, Stuart Graham and Keith Davies. Replacements: Fraser Renwick, Nicky Little, Ross Gibson, Greg Cottrel, Neil Renwick.Gala v Heriot’s, Netherdale, 3pmHeriot’s: John Semple; Charlie Simpson, Liam Steele, Cameron Ferguson, Max Learmonth; Gregor McNeish, Graham Wilson; Murray McCallum, Michael Liness, Struan Cessford, Russell Nimmo, Jack Turley CAPTAIN, Struan Dewar, Ian Wilson and Jason Hill. Replacements: Stewart Mustard, Martin Bouab, Roan Van Heerden, Jamie Ritchie, Tom Wilson.Gala: Graham Spiers; Dwayne Burrows, Sam Beard, Rex Jeffrey, Craig Robertson; David O’Hagan, George Graham; Chris Keen, Matt Carryer, Callum Mackintosh, Callum Rowlandson, Chris Weir CAPTAIN, Stevie Cairns, Gary Adams and Euan Dods. Replacements: Luke Pettie, Richie Tod, Opeta Palepoi, Alan Emond and Frankie Robson.Stirling County v Boroughmuir, Bridgehaugh, 3pmStirling County: Dylan Taikato-Simpson; Danny Gilmour, Nick Grigg, Fraser Lyle, Matt Lamb; Shaun Treweek, Alex Black; Mark Hunter, Cameron Fenton, Adam Nicol, Callum Hunter-Hill, Ed Howgate, Ruairidh Lieshman, Struan Robertson CAPTAIN and Vaka Manu. Replacements: Reyner Kennedy, Garry Mountford, Shaun McDonald, Patrick Nicol and Jonny Hope.Boroughmuir: Craig Marshall; Otulea Katoa, Alex Cox, Grant McConnell, Jordan Edmunds; David Reekie, Robbie Smith; Karl Furey, Cal Davies, Robby Wilson, Sam Gibson, Will Kay, Sean Crombie, Craig Keddie and Magnus Bradbury. Replacements: Ally Mcleod, Wullie Blacklock, Iain Moody, Sam Johnson, Chris Laidlaw.Currie v Melrose, The Greenyards, 2pmMelrose: Fraser Thomson; Joe Helps, Nyle Godsmark, Andrew Nagel, Sam Pecquer; Jason Baggot, Bruce Colvine CAPTAIN; Jamie Bhatti, George Turner, Nicholas Beavon, James Head, Graham Dodds, Neil Irvine Hess, Ruaridh Knott and Ally Millar. Replacements: Richard Taylor, Ruaridh Mcleod, Richard Taylor, Murdo McAndrew, Tom Galbraith.Currie: Blair Kinghorn; Harvey Elms, Fidias Efthymiou, Robbie Nelson, Cammy Gray; James Semple, Charlie Shiel; Ross Weston CAPTAIN, Travis Brooke, Luke Crosbie, Stephen Ainslie, Mike Vernel, Mike Cusack, Matt Goodwin and John Cox. Replacements: Graeme Crason, Alistair Hamilton, Hamish Bain, Richard Snedden, Matt McPhillips.Ayr v Selkirk, Millbrae, 3pmAyr: Grant Anderson; Richard Dalgliesh, Archie Russell, Ross Curle CAPTAIN, Craig Gossman; Frazier Climo, David Armstrong; George Hunter, James Malcolm, D’arcy Rae, Rob McAlpine, Scott Sutherland, Blair Macpherson, Will Bordill and Pete McCallum. Replacements: Lewis Anderson, Steven Longwell, Andrew Dunlop, Jack Preston, Cameron Taylor.Selkirk: David Wellman; Scott Hendrie, Craig MacDougall, Ross Nixon, Darren Clapperton; Rory Banks, Scott Tough; Lwando Mabenge, Damien Byrne, Fabien Tetart, Peter Forrest, Jordan McGowan, Ewan MacDougall, Leon du Plessis, Callum Marshall. Replacements: Frazer Anderson, Dave Allan, Cata Graur, Scott McClymont, Michael Davies.