- Currie Chieftains went hurtling into a 17-point lead against GHA at Braidholm, and then dug themselves into a hole. They managed to dig their way back out – but were pretty relieved to hear the final whistle. Paddy Boyer was our man-of-the-match – but, overall, hardly a vintage performance. Mark Cairns will be looking for more consistency at home to Selkirk next week.
- It was “one of the worst days ever experienced at Rubislaw” according to our correspondent, Jack Nixon. Craig Redpath agreed. “It was a question of survival,” he said, as Marr edged through their war of attrition with Aberdeen, overcoming what was, perhaps, a harsh first-half Jordan McLean red card. Colin Sturgeon kept the show on the road, and through the gloom, Scott Bickerstaff occasionally caught the eye – but, basically, it was a case of having got the job done, and looking forward to the relative comfort of a home fixture against GHA next week.
- According to Alan Lorimer, it was “rugby in the raw … in conditions that could charitably be described as inhospitable” as Hawick over-powered Selkirk at Philiphaugh. Their scrum was strong, their continuity was good and they were hungry. They will see next week’s home clash with Accies at Mansfield as a compelling opportunity to return the Bill McLaren Shield to its spiritual home.
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- Edinburgh Accies bounced back from their poor showing down at Jed last week to get their name inscribed on the Bill McLaren Shield, with a comfortable win over Musselburgh at Raeburn Place. Their back-row voraciously exploited their set-piece advantage and Jamie Loomes kicked cleverly to establish territory. They take the shield on the road next week to Hawick.
- Their tense win over Jed-Forest at Balgray was maybe just about enough to keep Glasgow Hawks in the hunt for a play-off slot, but it was a close-run thing. Sione Halafahi and Paul Caincross put in big shifts at the break-down and Ryan Flett and Fraser Gosse were always dangerous – but it could have gone either way. Musselburgh away next week.
- A case of ‘close but no cigar’ for GHA at home to Currie Chieftains. They were hit by a 17-point hurricane in the opening quarter, but managed to batten down the hatches – and were dominant in the second half, with George Baird, Andrew Stirratt and Scott Plumridge all to the fore – enough see them in good heart for their challenging trip to Marr next week.
- Coming off their poor performance at Musselburgh last week, and forced to field a make-shift back division, Scott Wight was pleased with Selkirk‘s determined defensive effort against Hawick at Philiphaugh – and reasonably satisfied, given the conditions, with the bonus point they picked up. Injuries continue to be a problem, and they must be hoping for some respite going into their game with Chieftains at Malleny next week.
- A serious malfunction in their set-piece did for Musselburgh against Accies at Raeburn Place. They were dead and buried by half-time and though they got more into the game after the break, with a Danny Owenson penalty being the only score in the second half, they were never really at the races.
- Jed-Forest were maybe unlucky to come away from their match with Hawks at Balgray with only a losing bonus point to show for their efforts – and a feeling that referee Sam O’Neil had done them no favours. Three yellow cards and a rib injury to Gregor Young certainly did nothing for their cause – but they must now focus on their “massive” game against Aberdeen at Riverside next week.
- Aberdeen Grammar slipped closer to relegation, losing out to Marr in terrible conditions at Rubislaw. They hung in there gallantly – but lost Matthias Schosser to a yellow card just when it felt as though they might be able to establish a foothold in the game. They are now firmly ensconced in The Last Chance Saloon – and might very well be taking their final drink down at Riverside next week.