Tennent’s National 1 concludes this weekend | Preview

22 Apr 2022

The men’s Tennent’s National League Division 1 title race will come to a tense and exciting conclusion tomorrow, with three teams still able to claim top spot heading into their final game.

Last week, Gala held top spot and were in a position where they could have claimed the title with a win against Heriot’s Blues.

But Heriot’s took a gripping contest 22-19 at Netherdale, and now they lead the race ahead of tomorrow’s climax.

Going into this weekend, Heriot’s sit on 86 points with Gala one point behind on 85. Biggar are then a further three back on 82 and will hope to capitalise on any slip-ups from the teams above them.

For all the permutations tomorrow, the simplest way for Heriot’s to wrap up the season in the top spot is to secure a bonus point win away to Cartha Queens Park.

If Heriot’s collected four points by winning without a bonus point, a bonus point win for Gala may well be enough for them to snatch the title on points difference given their 60-point advantage.

Should they win the league, Heriot’s will make history as the first Scottish club with a Super6 franchise team and have both their men’s and women’s amateur sides in their respective Tennent’s Premiership leagues next season.

Despite a last minute try from Gala’s Liam Scott’s against Heriot’s last weekend, wasn’t quite enough to secure them the league title.

Gala travel to Dundee knowing there are still many outcomes in which they could win the league. If they were to beat Dundee, a draw would not be enough for Heriot’s.

A draw would also be enough for Gala should Heriot’s pick up one or no points from their game.

Should Gala come out as the league winners, this outcome will see them return to the Premiership for the first time since 2017.

Biggar host Highland at Hartree Mill knowing that if both Heriot’s and Gala were unable to collect any points from their games, a win would secure them the title on points difference.

Their points difference of 323 is the highest in the league, 12 more than Gala, which could also come into play in other changes.

So much is yet to be decided, with lots of uncertainty as we head into this title race finale tomorrow. What we do know, is that it will be exciting!