Men’s Premiership & National 1 Preview | Round 16

HAWICK, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 18: Players from each Men's Premiership club during the Men's Premiership Launch at Mansfield Park, on August 18, 2023, in Hawick, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

Currie Chieftains v Marr – Malleny Park, 2pm

It’s 2nd v 3rd in southwest Edinburgh as Currie Chieftains host Marr.

Currie can catch leaders Hawick with a win, whilst Marr would overtake the Chieftains if they are victorious.

Currie Chieftains Head Coach Mark Cairns said: “Last week’s match against Hawick showed what the Premiership is all about, what a great advert for the domestic game.

“For our part we felt when we were able to match Hawick’s physicality and get go-forward we were able to play to our strengths and cause a lot of problems to a really well organised Hawick defence.

“Marr pose a very similar test this week with the physical battle being key and us coming up against another top defence. Kenny has really developed their attacking game too and they have threats throughout the team.

“These matches are generally tight affairs and unfortunately Marr are no strangers to winning at Malleny in recent years, so we will need to be at our best.”

Edinburgh Academical v Kelso – Raeburn Place, 2pm

Edinburgh Academical and Kelso will be looking to fight their way into the playoff places with a win at Raeburn Place.

Accies sit in fifth, just two points behind Heriot’s Blues in fourth, while Kelso sit two points further back in sixth.

Edinburgh Academical Head Coach Iain Berthinussen said: “Kev and Bruce have done a fantastic job so far this season at Poynder Park and we will need to be at our best with a much-changed team to get the points we need to keep ourselves in the hunt for a play-off spot.

“Our players know the challenge that Kelso will bring on both sides of the ball and that excites this group. We must be brave and impose our game on Kelso.”

Heriot’s Blues v Selkirk – Goldenacre, 2pm

Heriot’s Blues will know that dropping points at home to Selkirk could see them drop out of the playoff spots.

Heriot’s sit in fourth on 44 points, but the winner of Accies v Kelso would overtake them should they lose tomorrow.

Selkirk are currently in eighth, and will remain there this weekend regardless of the results.

Heriot’s Blues Head Coach Phil Smith said: “Pat Spence, Oisin Quinn and Harry Hitchin return to the squad after injury. Flynn Thomas has impressed in the fixtures leading up to Christmas and is rewarded with a spot on the bench.

“The boys are excited to get back to the action, and after an impressive showing against Musselburgh last time out, we know that Selkirk will be bringing plenty.

“Despite the recent weather we hope the pitch at Goldie can quickly recover and be ready to play in the afternoon.”

Jed-Forest v Glasgow Hawks – Riverside Park, 3pm

It’s a clash of the bottom two at Riverside Park as Jed-Forest host Glasgow Hawks.

Jed will be looking for a first win of the season, while Hawks could get within a point of Selkirk in eighth.

Jed-Forest Coach Ross Goodfellow said: “After a good performance against heriots the winter break came a bad time for us, but if we can find that performance again and being at home hopefully we can pick up our first win.”

Musselburgh v Hawick – Stoneyhill, 3pm

Hawick travel to Musselburgh knowing a loss could see them slip out of first place, while Musselburgh are still in the hunt for a playoff place.

Despite slipping to seventh, the ‘Burgh are still just four points behind Heriot’s in fourth.

Hawick sit four points clear in top spot on 63 points.

Musselburgh Head Coach Derek O’Riordan said: “Five weeks is a long time to mull over a couple of losses where, on reflection, we invited pressure on ourselves by going off script and not working hard enough round the corner defensively or off the ball in attack.

“These are easy fixes on paper, but you only get to know that when you see how willing boys are to get into the trenches with and for each-other on a Saturday. 

“Watching how physical Hawick’s exchange was with Currie last week I would say that we will need to find another couple of levels to take what we want and need out of the game.

“However, we are back in a place where we have a point to prove with only three games to do so; game on!”

National 1

In National League Division 1, Dundee could come off the bottom of the table with a home win against Biggar.

Champions elect Ayr will be looking to bounce back from a first defeat of the season when they travel to GHA.

Melrose will seek to further consolidate second position with a win away to Glasgow Academicals.

Gala could climb as many as three places with a win away to Highland, who themselves could go second.

And GHK will be looking to keep themselves above bottom side Dundee, who are just one point behind them, by picking up a result against Watsonians.

This week, Highland v Gala and Watsonians v GHK kick off at 3pm. All other matches kick off at 2pm.