A nine-week break almost amounts to a close season so it was no surprise that Dundee HSFP looked a little rusty last week, but the cobwebs are gone for a return to Premier A league action against Glasgow Hawks at Mayfield on Saturday.
Dundee’s free-scoring ways continued but the Maroons benefitting from undersoil heating at Netherdale were sharper and able to provide a stiff contest as a warm-up for the visit of the Hawks, whose record at Dundee is astonishingly good.
From their first visit on the way to the division two title in their inaugural season in 1997-98 (a team that featured Glen Metcalfe and Tommy Hayes, among others) Hawks have won every game at Mayfield the last two in excruciating circumstances for Dundee, with last-minute scores resulting in single-point comeback victories, 17-16 three years ago and 33-32 last year.
Hawks looked to be among the most improved teams in the top division in the first part of the season by finishing the first half just behind leaders Melrose, but they lost to Ayr on their last time out.
Dundee will be without Scotland sevens star James Fleming, who flies out to Wellington, but Danny Levison and Stuart Coleman both enjoyed a bounce game training session with the Scotland squad on Wednesday night.
The No 8 is, surprisingly, not named in the club international squad for their match against their French counterparts in Orleans in a week Fleming isn’t either, because of the sevens commitments but prop Alan Brown is in the squad again and there are call-ups for scrum-half Andy Dymock and centre Harry Duthie.
Andy’s elder brother Alan, now with Heriot’s, is also in the squad, with their dad Tom, the former High flanker and president, also travelling to France as the squad doctor. Mayfield director of rugby Ian Rankin will again manage the squad, coached by Currie’s Ally Donaldson, while the club’s Mo Pacione is the team physio.
Bridgehaugh was frost-bound last week, which left Stirling County idle but they are seeking to get back in Premier One next season and will be out to maintain their place at the top of Premier B and extend their six-point lead away to West of Scotland, who desperately need a boost after two losses since the split stretched their run without a league win to eight.Kirkcaldy’s friendly successUnable to play their scheduled fixtures over the last fortnight, Kirkcaldy have won friendlies with decent performances against Peebles and Morgan, while the second 15 have won three in a row since the weather partially relented.
The club are desperate for meaningful action and this weekend’s home fixture with Hillhead Jordanhill is a must-win, with Kelso having picked up ground at the foot of Premier C.
Howe of Fife’s win at Haddington was the only match possible last week in Premier Three and it drops the East Lothian club into the fringes of the relegation battle, with their visit to McKane Park in Dunfermline a crucial contest for the Fifers as well.
Safety is still some way off for Dunfie but a win would set them in the right direction, especially with Perthshire third-bottom and having a tough one away to promotion challengers Hamilton.
Howe are home to less-than-happy travellers Cartha with the chance to move into fourth in the division, while Morgan have a tough one away to the unbeaten league leaders Whitecraigs.
Strathmore last managed a league game as far back as October 30 but still lead Caledonia Division One, and they should maintain their narrow lead over Hillfoots when they travel to struggling Grangemouth, while the Tillicoultry club are at home to Mackie.
This was meant to be the final week of scheduled matches in the two lower Caledonia divisions, but the winter snows mean there are fixtures already rearranged for April and all points in between.
Madras retain their commanding lead in division two but were given a much tougher test than expected against Fife Southern last week, and this week host Carnoustie, who are in second place but a full 18 points adrift.
In division three, Panmure’s hopes of reeling in Montrose took a blow with a home defeat to Waid last week, and they need to get back on track at home to Stobswell. Waid, meanwhile, seek to discomfit the leaders the same way they did to Pannie at home.