Aberdeen Grammar captain Sam Knudson wants his side to start closing out games to avoid a repeat of recent narrow defeats.
A two-point loss against Selkirk at the end of September was followed up by a 10-point slide against Marr, while Grammar faced another top-five outfit last weekend in their 40-21 defeat to GHA.
Despite their run of defeats, Knudson still takes a positive outlook on the start of the season, based on their attacking brand of rugby and improved style of play.
They face Gala, who sit a point and a place above them in National 1, tomorrow at Rubislaw with Knudson keen to see his team-mates hold on to any late leads they have.
He said: “The Selkirk and Marr games were both games we could have won. GHA was probably the only one where we were well-beaten.
“It’s pretty much closing out games that we need to improve on. We’ve played a lot of good rugby and results have probably not shown the true story.
“We’ve had a pretty tough run the last few games and we’ve got a run now of three winnable games.
“We’re one of the better attacking teams in the league and are scoring well at the moment. It’s probably the last two inches in games that is letting us down.”
Grammar’s points-scored tally is the third-highest in the division and that has been helped by the form of flanker Chris Jollands.
After returning from a serious neck injury this season, Jollands has contributed six tries and is the team’s joint top-scorer and Knudson hopes he can remain fit, as he also plays university rugby on a Wednesday.
Knudson added: “Chris has been class so far. He’s our top try-scorer and we missed him against Marr.
“We’ve got a pretty outstanding back row with him and Greig Ryan, who are two of our best players.
“Keeping him fit is going the main thing. He plays Wednesday and Saturday – I did it for about for our five years and you have to sit out Tuesday training if you’ve got any knocks.
“He’s only missed one game so far though.”
Nigel Coe, Tom Aplin and Robin Cessford return to the Grammar ranks after missing last weekend’s defeat.
