BT Premiership:
Divisions Two and Three
Division two of the BT Scotland Premiership rolls on today with the top half facing the stragglers, but in division three, everything could be done and dusted by tea-time.
In its early stages, the latter was one of the most hotly contested divisions in Scotland. After half the programme, no more than seven points covered the top six clubs, while three weeks in, it was obvious that four sides - Hutchesons/Aloysians, Kilmarnock, Stewart's-Melville, and Berwick - were contesting a Premiership future.
Now, at the top, only points difference separates Ayr and Edinburgh Accies, with this pair 18 points clear of the third-placed side, Preston Lodge FP.
The East Lothian side's chances will disappear if Accies can do the double for the season when they meet at Raeburn Place.
Leaders Ayr hammered Accies last time out. Today they are at home to Hillhead/Jordanhill, who beat them 19-10 when they met at Hughenden. Besides revenge, Ayr's bait for today is that the Hills pose the greatest challenge since they have three games up their sleeve.
''We certainly are not going to make up the numbers,'' said Hills spokesman Bernie Mitchell. ''We take confidence from that earlier victory and feel that if our half backs are on top form, that will decide the issue.''
Things could also be tied up at the bottom, where the four endangered teams tangle. Berwick, who gave Hawick a fright last week, are only marginally threatened and would pull away should they beat second-bottom Stewart's-Melville at Scremerston.
Bottom-of-the-table Hutchesons'/Aloysians have to play the three others in the danger zone to complete the season. However, they are already seven points adrift of Colleges, and 10 behind Kilmarnock, who they welcome to Auldhouse today. ''We have become hard to beat,'' said Killie coach Ian Morrison. ''This game is the first of a pair we have targeted.''
The final division three game, Gordonians versus Grangemouth, looks benign, except it is a decider. The Aberdonians squeezed home by 14-13 when they met in early season league play. At the start of this month they clashed again, in the BT Cellnet Shield, with Grangemouth winning 48-10.
Runaway division two leaders Boroughmuir should continue to show a clean pair of heels to the chasing sides. Today, they are at home to Peebles, who, by winning last time out, have consolidated their place in the division.
Musselburgh, coming off their shock cup exit at Strathendrick, start a vital double-header by welcoming East Kilbride, who are still very much in promotion contention.
''Some papers seem to think promotion is done and dusted,'' remarked EK coach Stevie Blair. ''Not so, and it suits us to have three games up our sleeve while other sides know precisely where they are.''
EK, who beat Musselburgh 33-19 in October, hope to be at full strength, with Fraser Stott back at scrum half after his Barbarians' outing.
Stirling County may have a possible cup semi-final spot against Strathendrick on their mind. Today, they visit Biggar, who hope to add to the 12 points taken from their last five matches.
Third-bottom Dundee HSFP have three games remaining, and face the least pressure today - at home to third-top Aberdeen GSFP.
Bottom side Selkirk visit second-top Kirkcaldy. The Souters pulled off a cup surprise last time out by beating first division Currie, but the Fifers, with only promotion to think about, should win.
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