BT Premiership PREVIEW | Try, try, try again as bonus points boost opening rounds

22 Sep 2017

Supporters of the Scottish club game have been treated to an explosive opening three rounds of BT Premiership rugby.

An incredible 16 try bonus points have been clocked up in just 15 matches played so far – giving supporters a visual feast and setting the tone for an exciting season.

Round 4 sees another weekend of intriguing ties as the unbeaten Currie Chieftains look to frustrate Ayr further and third-placed Glasgow Hawks travel to the Greenyards to take on table-toppers Melrose.

Marr will look to build on their fine start when they host Watonsians at Fullarton Park while Heriot’s will be eager to back-up their performance from last week when Hawick visit Edinburgh looking for a first win.

Elsewhere, Stirling County will look to bounce back from defeat in Round 3 when they host Boroughmuir as all the teams look to continue the blistering start to the BT Premiership season.

The story so far…

Only newcomers Marr have failed to cross the whitewash four times in any their matches, but having claimed two wins from their opening three games, they have made a strong statement to the competition.

Victories on the road and at home, following a hard-fought loss to Glasgow Hawks at Scotstoun, have proved that the Troon side are more than capable of holding their own in the top flight.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Ayr have faced a turbulent time as they open their defence.

A last-gasp drop-goal saw off Boroughmuir in the first round but subsequent losses at home to Glasgow Hawks and last year’s beaten finalists, Melrose, have highlighted the scale of the challenge they face if they are going to retain their crown this year.

At the top of the table, Melrose and Currie Chieftains are the early leaders, having both won all three of their openers and claimed five try bonuses between them in the process.

Glasgow Hawks and Stirling County went into Round 3 hoping to continue perfect starts against Edinburgh sides, Heriot’s and Watsonians.

The teams from the east came out on top, however, avoiding the disappointment of three defeats on the trot, and halted County and Hawks’ momentum.

Hawick and Boroughmuir have yet to register wins this season, but both having secured losing and try bonuses indicates there is a platform to build from, as they look to move up the rankings.