Aberdeen Grammar winger Grant Walker is targeting maximum points from the next two National 1 games as the Rubislaw men look to go into the autumn international break with a spring in their step.
Grammar are finding form after a tough start and last weekend’s 37-25 win at Musselburgh means they have won three of their last four matches and moved up into mid-table.
Walker, who returns to the fold for tomorrow’s trip to Cartha Queen’s Park, knows the next two games are pivotal as the season nears the halfway point.
He said: “I missed the win last weekend but I got back yesterday and made it to training, so, hopefully, I can play a part in what will be another big game for us at Cartha Queen’s Park.
“This is the tail-end of the first round of fixtures and we’re targeting two good results to set us up for when the club rugby returns after the autumn internationals.
“We’ve won three out of the last four matches and feel as if we are building some momentum.
“It will be another big test for us but Cartha are a team we should be targeting full points from and then we have the derby against Dundee next weekend, so it’s two big games for us.”
It was a summer of change at Rubislaw and Ali O’Connor’s players fell off the pace. But Walker believes the improving results augur well for the second half of the campaign.
He added: “There’s been a big change in terms of personnel and it has taken a few weeks for guys to get to know each other and build that understanding of how everyone plays. But we’re seeing signs of the squad settling down now and feeling optimistic.
“We spoke in pre-season about trying to be a top-four team this year.
“We’re seventh at the moment, six points off fourth place, and once the next two games are out of the way we will look at where we are in the table and whether we will have to reassess.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire’s woes in National 2 look set to continue with head coach Craig Parslow admitting it is unlikely he is going to be able to raise a side to face Dumfries Saints at Woodside tomorrow.
It will be the third consecutive match Shire have been forced to cancel following similar scenarios against West of Scotland and Peebles.
However, the 2nd XV will be in action when they take on Gordonians’ 2nd XV.