Boroughmuir keen to wrap up Division One title
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Your support makes all the difference.The Premiership Division One leaders Boroughmuir go into their game against bottom club Jed-Forest today knowing a five-point win would make it almost impossible for their nearest rivals Heriot's to catch them.
"We have to start the new year as if it were a new season," declared Sean Lineen, the Boroughmuir backs coach. They will make a late decision on whether to replace the injured fly-half Ally Warnock with James Reilly or Alan Sievewright for the home game at Meggetland.
Jed-Forest make a surprising change in the same position with the youngster Robin Laing making his first league start. "We felt we needed to bring something different to the side," said their manager, David Laidlaw.
A hugely-entertaining match is in prospect at Malleny Park where Peebles and Currie both have the opportunity to break away from the relegation battle with a win.
Back in October, Currie came from behind to snatch the points from the division's new boys. "We have come on since then," said the Peebles president Alan Beveridge. "But I am aware that Currie have too!"
Currie's Samoa international lock Ope Palepoi came through his outing for the Glasgow professional side in midweek, which is a worry for the Borderers who see him as a special threat.
Heriot's introduce a new full-back for their vital away fixture against Stirling County, which they have to win well to keep the pressure on leaders Boroughmuir.
Calum MacRae is the new boy. The 22 years old former Scotland Under-21 international moved from Melrose at the start of the season but has been injured. MacRae takes over from Gordon Laurie, who was injured in training, and the Heriot's coach Phil Smith believes he will revel in the number 15 jersey.
The relegation-threatened County are unchanged for a home fixture which they know they have to win.
Melrose admit the title is out of their grasp but feel they can finish in the top three with a win at Hawick. "If we can gee ourselves up and get a win at Mansfield we will knock Hawick out the equation," said their coach, Gary Parker.
Melrose give a first game of this campaign to reinstated the centre Graham Shiel and add Geoff Caldwell and Kelly Brown to the squad. Hawick's only change is in the back row where David Callam comes in for Jamie Parker.
Two teams who eye a Scottish Cup run, Glasgow Hawks and Aberdeen GFSP, meet at Anniesland with Hawks favourites to make home advantage count.
The talking point is the return to his old club of the No 8 Rory McKay. Though hailing from the north, the Grammar player made his name with Hawks before turning pro with Glasgow.
Holiday absentees force changes in the Hawks' line up. Craig Hodgkinson comes in at full-back for Kenny Baillie and Stuart Male fills in at lock for Ian Smith.
Grammar are still missing injured stand-off Keith Oddie, with Murray Strang taking on the role.
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