Dundee HSFP’s promotion challenge in BT National One remains on track, and last year’s surprise package GHA are the next measurement for Colin Sangster’s mix of youth and experience at Mayfield on Saturday.
The merged Southsiders’ club got all the way to the promotion play-off last season, beating Dundee in the final game of their National One campaign, although they were soundly beaten by Stirling County in their bid to go up a league.
It’s been a much more modest campaign so far by them and they lie seven points behind High, who shrugged off the loss of seven first-choice players due to injury, illness and unavailability to beat Musselburgh last week.
Josh Rutnagur stepped in at fly-half and scored a try, but the pick of High’s scores was from Fijian wing Matacagi Ice creatively dubbed “the Iceman” by his clubmates who skated through for a debut score after a trademark break from Andy Dymock.
Sangster will hope to have a bigger hand to choose from as High seek to prove the loss at Jed-Forest two weeks ago was just a short blip in their upward curve.
A try bonus point for Howe of Fife in ‘nilling’ Peebles at Duffus Park meant they went second on points differential as Marr couldn’t match them.
However, this week is one of those key examinations that will determine whether the club can sustain this outstanding start to their first season in the second tier.
Edinburgh Accies have had an uncertain start to their National One campaign but have clicked the last two times out at Raeburn Place, where they host the Howe on Saturday.
However, the visitors have won four in a row and confidence is growing.
Confidence could be all that it takes to knock Kirkcaldy over the hump in National Two, and the next two weeks may be crucial.
Despite a losing bonus at Lasswade last week they are now seven adrift of Whitecraigs in second bottom, and the Newton Mearns club are the visitors to Beveridge Park on Saturday.
A win, with winless Greenock Wanderers up next week, and the Blues will have a foundation to build on.
A loss, and it looks like it could be a long winter.
Perthshire just did enough to edge RHC last week and moved up to fifth in National Three, and just three points out of third place. They need to convert against bottom club Irvine this week to keep the challenge going, and will probably move up a place at least if they get the win.
Last week’s brief break for Shield action still had a few pointers for Caledonia One, not least pacesetters Gordonians taking their second hammering in a fortnight at Highland while Strathmore completed a home and away league and cup double over Dunfermline.
Maybe Glenrothes’ away win at RAF Lossiemouth was most impressive of all, however, and Glens can stay tied on points at the top of the division if they beat Carnoustie at Shanwell Road.
Gordonians must be favoured to bounce back against Hillfoots at Countesswells.
Dunfermline and Strathmore are headed north, Dunfie to Lossiemouth and Strathie all the way up to Caithness.
Alloa and Harris lead Division Two Midlands, although the Dundee club have played one game more. It’s one of those weekends when it’s likely to be as-you-were, with both clubs gunning for bonus-point home wins.
Morgan in third must still be kicking themselves for missing out on a Friday night in Kinross two weeks ago which left them 10 points in arrears of the top two, but they aim to bounce back with the short trip over to St Andrews to face Madras.