Heriot's won't rest on their laurels

HERIOT'S coach Bob McKillop says the good form that has delivered three outstanding wins on the trot for his side will be forgotten when they take to the field at Malleny Park for tomorrow's clash with Currie (kick-off 3.00pm).

After clicking up through the gears to record wins over Selkirk, Boroughmuir and Edinburgh Accies, Heriot's have moved into second place in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership league table and on recent showings, have the look of title contenders.

McKillop said: "We have enjoyed the last couple of weeks but we need to look ahead rather than backwards.

"We know it will be tough and we are fully aware of what Currie bring to the party. Any game against them is never less than a tough challenge.

We won there last year but it was very tight and it could have gone either way and we expect another close game this time."

Struan Dewar and Colin Goudie are ruled out through injury, but the Goldenacre men have ready replacements in the shape of Jamie Parker and Marc Teague.

In the home ranks, Currie coach Ally Donaldson has made one change to the side that lost to Watsonians last time out, with skipper Andy Adam returning from injury in the place of Gary Temple.

Donaldson has been happy with the progress his youngsters have made over recent weeks, although he was less satisfied with a brief loss of focus that saw them surrender a half-time lead at Myreside last week.

"There is a lot of optimism at the club, not only for the future but also for the rest of this season," he said. "We have been going well but the wheels came off for 15 minutes last week. We had a crazy spell when we turned the ball over then gave away an interception try then tried to fix it and just compounded the situation."

He is relishing the chance to put matters right tomorrow, adding, "They are the form team at the moment. They have strength throughout and a lot of pace behind the scrum. We know it is going to be another big challenge for us, but it's one we are looking forward to."

Meanwhile, Boroughmuir coach Eamon John believes his team are still in contention for the title they won in impressive fashion last season, although he concedes that his men can ill afford any further slip ups along the way.

Last week's loss at leaders Ayr was the Meggetland men's second defeat of the campaign and they will need to recover the winning feeling at home to West of Scotland or rely on favours from others if they are to avoid losing touch with the pacesetters.

"We need to draw on our experience now," he said. "I still think we are capable of beating any team in the league and I am sure we will. There is a lot of rugby to be played yet."

Across the city, Edinburgh Accies welcome leaders Ayr, with coach Ian Barnes urging his men to bounce back from last week's hefty loss against Heriot's.

Despite conceding eight tries, Accies produced patches of rugby that impressed Barnes and he will be asking his men to ensure those passages of play become the norm against an Ayr side that has already beaten three other Capital team.

Barnes is boosted by the return of key men Euan Milne and skipper Dan Teague to the back row, as well as recalling Matt Coupar on the wing, switching Chris Kinloch to play centre and moving Alex Blair to stand-off.

Watsonians showed their battling qualities last week when they overturned a half-time deficit against Currie to record a win that leaves them third in the league table on points difference. It has been a frustrating time for Bruce Aitchison, who has seen his men produce some glorious rugby but suffer expensive lapses and he will be looking for the former from the Myreside men's trip to face Glasgow Hawks.

In Division Two, Stewart's Melville rediscovered the winning habit in style away to Aberdeen Grammar last week, and Graeme Moffat's side will be looking for a repeat performance against leaders Dundee High at Inverleith.

The Taysiders were pushed all the way by Musselburgh last week, and the Stoneyhill men will have taken heart from that gutsy performance, which ended with them losing by a single point. They can move from the bottom with a win at Biggar.

Elsewhere, with the promotion race exceptionally tight, Haddington need to bounce back from a bad loss at Hamilton last week when they host Peebles.

Division Three strugglers Livingston seek their first point of the season when they travel to meet Cartha Queens Park.