IT’S TAKEN half a season, but Stirling County are finally showing signs of living up to their potential, with two wins in succession taking them out of the basement of the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One, writes Steve Scott, rugby correspondent.

County dumped Edinburgh Accies at Bridgehaugh last week with a shut-out display in the second half underlining what hard and profitable work has been done on defence by coach Ian Jardine and his team, and the bonus point lifted County two points ahead of Hawick—who promptly fired coach Jim Hay—and only one behind Glasgow Hawks.

The Greens’ reaction can perhaps be excused as it appears relegation looms for the first time in their glorious history, but County have stayed loyal to Jardine, Jocky Bryce and his backroom team and it appears to be paying dividends.

Not a little help has been had from the team’s professional recruits, with Edinburgh’s Roly Reid playing a significant role in the wins over Watsonians and Accies, and John Houston having an excellent debut last week.

Stand-off Robbie McGowan has been showing growing assurance and the pack has shrugged off early-season injury woes.

County look to build on their run this week at second-place Heriot’s, who only just pipped Watsonians last week.

While Dundee HSFP were frozen out of their home match, Stewarts Melville closed the gap on them at the top of division two by only a point to seven, although it seems that Peebles may be the biggest threat down the line, a 27-14 win at GHA catching the eye in the three games that were played last week.

Dundee are scheduled to be at Aberdeen this week, against a young team full of flair in the backs but lacking the necessary power up front.

Halfway through the season and Kirkcaldy are clear at the top of division three, having rattled up another bonus point win and a 50-point haul against Perthshire last week.

Some think the only team likely to topple the Blues in a one-on-one contest are Fal-kirk, who are set to host the Fifers at Sunnyside tomorrow. Falkirk lie third but missed out last week due to the weather while Dunfermline, who are consistently putting away good wins, beat Garnock in Ayrshire, thereby probably ending the SHE Shield champions’ promotion hopes.

Morgan’s hopes are only slightly better after a shocking 50-point loss at Hughenden last week, needing a full five-pointer against Ellon at Forfar Road this week if the thaw allows them to play.

Perthshire’s winning run came to an end at Beveridge Park but they can start a new one and rise to seventh in the division with victory over Cartha QP at the Inch.

Only the weather has stalled Howe of Fife in National One but they face probably their trickiest away trip so far to Berwick as they aim to stretch their unbeaten league run, which stretches back to March 2007, to 37 games.

Hillfoots host Glasgow Accies in National Two while Strathmore, who have slipped to fourth but are still heavily involved in the promotion chase in division three, are home to Gordonians.

The top two teams meet in Caledonia division one with Aberdeenshire coming to Carleton Park to take on Glenrothes. St Andrews University are likely to make it a three-way battle through the turn of the year for the title and are due at Garioch, having only played one league match since mid-October.

Only a comfortable away win by Fife Southern at Bannockburn escaped the weather in Caledonia two, which this week sees leaders Alloa at Carnoiustie while second place Harris have a Dundee derby with Stobswell.

Scottish Hydro Electric League matches this weekend:

Premiership Division One—Heriot’s v Stirling County.

Premiership Division Two—Aberdeen Grammar v Dundee HSFP.

Premiership Division Three—Falkirk v Kirkcaldy, Morgan Academy FP v Ellon, Perthshire v Cartha QP, Dunfermline v Livingston.

National League One—Berwick v Howe of Fife.

National League Two—Hillfoots v Glasgow Accies.

National League Three—Strathmore v Gordonians.

Caledonia League One—Aberdeen University v Stirling University, Garioch v St Andrews University, Orkney v Madras College FP, Blairgowrie HSFP v Crieff and Strathearn, Glenrothes v Aberdeenshire, Mackie Academy FP v Kinross.

Caledonia League Two Midlands— Arbroath v Bannockburn, Carnoustie HSFP v Alloa, Stobswell v Harris Academy FP, Atholl v Strathspey, Fife Southern v Montrose and District, Panmure v Waid Academy FP.