Rugby: Hawick steel themselves for '˜must win' match

The Hawick captain admits after his side put in a shocking performance away to Glasgow Hawks a fortnight ago - dropping them back to sixth in the table - the pressure is on them to get their title challenge back on track.

A win on Saturday and Hawick propel themselves back into the final four conversation. Draw or lose and they’re league season is over.

“Biggest game of the season, a cup final for sure,” said McNeil.

“Lose, the top four will be gone. Saturday is all or bust. The bottom line is it’s a must win, there’s no two ways about it.

After putting in a poor display against Hawks the boys are itching to get back out there and put things right. The pressure is on us to perform now.”

From start to finish Selkirk haven’t had a 2015/16 league season full of much success but coach, Cameron Cochrane, hopes his side can end their campaign on a positive note, starting with Boroughmuir on Saturday, as they build towards next season.

“We have a pair of home games to end our season – Boroughmuir and Melrose – and I am hoping the boys go out there and put on a show,” said Cochrane.

“It’s as much for them as it is for the supporters who have stuck by us all year. Nothing about this season has been easy but It’s been a learning experience and looking towards next year I hope the lads will be better for it.”

For Gala, little this season has been normal. The Maroons have been a perineal contender in the league over the past decade but in 2015/16 the side face the real possibility of relegation from the Premiership for the first time since 2005.

Automatic relegation has been avoided thanks to Selkirk but dropping down to National one via the play-offs is still a possibility. Victory over Heriots at Netherdale on Saturday will not secure safety but does keep alive their hopes of remaining in Scotland topflight for one more week.

In National One, Jed Forest welcome Musselburgh to Riverside Park as they look to maintain their surprise promotion push. Victory for Peebles against fellow strugglers Aberdeen Grammar could see the Gytes men finally peel themselves off the foot of the table while Kelso travel north for a tough encounter against Howe of Fife.