Promotion has long been in the bag and it’s just a question of the cherry on the cake for Stirling County as they aim to secure the Premier Two title at Hartreemill on the hills by Biggar.
Hawick have completed their programme and County actually have two shots at gaining the four points they need for the crown, thanks to their relentless accumulation of bonus points throughout the season.
In addition, County will have all their age group stars back after their excellent performances for Scotland under-19s in the wins over Italy and France.
Stuart Edwards skippered the team in both wins, Danny Gilmour scored tries in each match, while Robbie Boswell was another who got big reviews for his displays.
Elsewhere in Division Two, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline complete their seasons, with the Blues heading for Rubislaw to meet Aberdeen Grammar while relegated Dunfie host Peebles.
Premier Rugby’s boffins got together in an outstanding attack of common sense during the week to simplify the remaining schedule for Division One.
The result is that Dundee HSFP will wind up their season with their fixture against double-chasing Ayr at Millnbrae this week instead of mid-May.
Ayr still have to toil into the middle of next month to finish their fixtures but their meeting with Heriots in the cup final next week will also count for league points.
Meanwhile, Dundee will piece together a team from those still present and their form a couple of weeks ago against Boroughmuir suggests they will give the champions another good test following the epic win at Mayfield earlier in the season.
It is notable also that James Fleming, so impressive since coming up from Perthshire that he won Scottish club international honours this year, has spent some time in training with Glasgow Warriors this week.
Falkirk duly completed promotion in Premier Three with victory over Howe of Fife and it was perhaps fitting that they and Hillhead Jordanhill, denied in a furious finish with Dunfermline last year, should go up this season.
Howe complete what has still been an outstanding first season in premier rugby at Irvine while Perthshire, who could finish as high as fifth even after their uncertain start to the season, try to deny Falkirk a shot at the title.
Nothing is decided in Caledonia One, with Orkney still having an impressive haul of bonus points as a buffer against Strathmore, who put a further spanner in the beleaguered schedulers’ works with their win against Wigtownshire in the Bowl semis last week to gain a place on Finals Day.Upper handThe Islanders still have the upper hand, but nothing can be certain until May 8 when they come to Inchmacoble to meet the team that has tracked them all season.Carnoustie and Harris have been engaged in close combat in the Caley Two Midlands league table all year, but the clear indication now is that the Elliot Road side, only a couple of years after re-constituting, are favourites at only three points behind the Angus outfit with a game in hand.
Harris have polished off their outstanding fixtures with the necessary bonus points and two wins from their remaining fixtures-away to Waid this week and home to Alloa next-will win the division, with Carnoustie completing their programme against Atholl at Shanwell Road this week.
Scottish Hydro League matches this weekend:Premier One Ayr v Dundee HSFP.Premier Two Biggar v Stirling County, Aberdeen Grammar v Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline v Peebles.Premier Three Perthshire v Falkirk, Irvine v Howe of Fife.Caledonia One Grangemouth v Stirling University, Glenrothes v Mackie Academy FP, Madras v Ross Sutherland, Kinross v Strathmore, Aberdeen University v Orkney, Crieff & Strathearn v St Andrews University.Caledonia Two Midlands Carnoustie HSFP v Atholl, Waid Academy v Harris Acad FP, Blairgowrie v Fife Southern, Alloa v Panmure.