Men’s Premiership & National 1 Preview | Round 6

CURRIE, SCOTLAND - APRIL 02: Marr RFC huddle up before kick off during a Tennents Premiership Final between Currie Chieftains and Marr RFC at Mallery Park, on April 02, 2022, in Currie, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Musselburgh v Heriot’s Blues – Stoneyhill, KO 3pm

It was a much-needed bonus point win for Musselburgh last weekend after they edged a win on the road against Selkirk (21-24).

A brace of tries from Bob Stott, backed up by scores from Darren Miller and Sandy Watt have helped navigate Musselburgh into a much safer spot in the table standings, and will likely give them some confidence ahead of welcoming Heriot’s Blues to Stoneyhill on Saturday.

Another bonus point win over the Blues this weekend could see them leapfrog their opposition in the table.

But it will be a challenge, as the Blues have continued to front up this season. Last weekend the Blues hosted Jed-Forest at Goldenacre in a try-fest spectacle, keeping them on track for a coveted play-off spot.

Angus Hunter, Cameron Meager and John McNaughton all crossed the whitewash twice, with Innes Hill, Trent Storen and Finn Carden also adding to Heriot’s nine-try haul.

Currie Chieftains v Glasgow Hawks – Maleny Park, KO 3pm

It was a tough innings for the Chieftains last weekend after a dominating second-half performance from Hawick trumped their chances of a win.

This weekend, Currie will be looking to get themselves back on track with a home game against Glasgow Hawks. A bonus-point win could see them jump into first place in the table standings.

For Hawks, it was a tough run last weekend against Accies who dominated in the first half of the action. But the Glasgow-outfit managed to pull it back and secure a try-bonus point and a losing bonus point with the score concluding 26-32.

Despite only recording one win so far this season, Hawks will be up for a fight on Saturday and this should be expected to be a hard fought battle.

Edinburgh Academical FC v Marr – Raeburn Place, KO 3pm

An ever-familiar battle within the Men’s Premiership, Edinburgh Accies take on Marr this Saturday.

A win this weekend will be important for both sides. Marr are looking to maintain their winning streak, having won the last four rounds of competition, whilst for Accies, a win would help nudge them into a more favourable position for a play-off spot come the end of the regular season.

Looking at last weekend, it was two big wins for both sides.

Accies bounced back last weekend after their tight contest against Hawick in Round 4 to run in a 26-32 win on the road over Glasgow Hawks.

Captain Jamie Loomes has continued to play a big part on the pitch racking up 48 points so far this season. But not far behind him is Marr’s Colin Sturgeon, who has contributed 42 points to the score board in four games. Two formidable stand-off players, who will be integral to each team this weekend.

Jed-Forest v Hawick – Riverside Park, KO 3pm

It’s the first of the Borders derby’s this weekend as Jed-Forest host Hawick at Riverside Park.

It has undoubtedly been a shaky start for Jed who have yet to record a win despite passionate and determined performances.

Last weekend Jed put up a strong fight against Heriot’s Blues on the road. The first half concluded 24-15 but the Blues ran away with play in the second half, leaving Jed a try sort of a bonus point.

Taking on the reining champions will be no mean feat, but one Jed will certainly face head on.

After a bump in the road in Round 2, Hawick have returned to form defeating Currie 35-13 last Saturday. Whilst the half-time score favoured the visitors (10-13), the Green Machine got their cogs turning in the final forty to secure the try-bonus point.

Kelso v Selkirk – Poynder Park, KO 3pm

Our second Border derby sees Selkirk visit Kelso at Poynder Park.

Both Kelso and Selkirk suffered defeat last Saturday and this weekend gives them a chance to return to winning ways. But only one can come out on top…

Despite a strong start to their head-to-head with Musselburgh last week, a series of penalties in favour of Musselburgh set the visitors up to strike and ultimately overcome the hosts on the scoreboard.

For Kelso on the other hand, last weekend was a tough loss on the road with Marr commanding a 48-14 performance.

We can expect this fixture to be a classic derby – physical, competitive and likely a close scoreline.

A bonus point win this Saturday could relieve Selkirk from the lower end of the table standings, whilst for Kelso, a win would keep them safely in the middle.

National Division 1

After a loss to GHA on the road last weekend (27-10), Dundee will host GHK this weekend.

Top of the league Ayr will look to back up their 39-27 win over Watsonians last Saturday with a trip to Netherdale to face Gala whilst Glasgow Accies welcome Biggar to New Anniesland.

After a close 20-25 win on the road to Biggar last weekend, Highland will be looking to secure another win as they welcome Melrose to Canal Park.

Finally, Watsonians host GHA at Myreside with the hope they can bounce back from their loss last weekend.

All five games kick off at 3pm.