David Harley, the Howe of Fife president, has paid tribute to the players who have put the Cupar outfit on the brink of retaining the overall Legacy Sevens Series title this weekend.

Victory in the fourth event at Hamilton last Saturday put Howe 19 points clear of their closest challengers, Glasgow Hawks, although both teams will be playing for double points at the fifth and final event, the Glasgow City Sevens at Cartha Queens Park's Dumbreck ground this weekend, so the victors will earn 30 points.

It would still take a huge upset for Howe not to retain the overall title, though, and their young players are excited by the prospect of taking on the likes of Munster, Saracens and Glasgow Warriors at Cartha. They have won two tournaments so far and been runners-up in the other two. "The guys at the club just love sevens," Harley said. "It helps that in Garry Horne and John Lathangie we have two coaches who have great belief that sevens can help players hone their skills for XVs and generally make them better players. After last year's win on the circuit others around the country seemed to take note and it was a boost for Howe of Fife and the players to be involved at the Melrose Sevens. The form they have shown this year has been great and many officials from other clubs have been very complimentary about the sevens that the boys play."

The team has had to do without George Horne, their top scorer last year, and standout Iain Wilson, but others have stepped up to the mark. Chris Mason, the captain, and Dom Martin have also been in great form and Howe of Fife are a club on the up in all forms of the game.

Draw. Glasgow City Sevens (first tie 1pm, played on 2 pitches) Ayr v Dalziel, 1 Scots v Glasgow Hawks, Saracens v Greenock Wanderers, Boroughmuir v GHA, Glasgow Warriors v Glasgow Uni, Hamilton v Howe of Fife, Munster v Cartha Queens Park, Hillhead/Jordanhill v Stirling County

standings (after 4 of 5 events) 1 Howe of Fife 50pts, 2 Glasgow Hawks 31, 3 Boroughmuir 24, 4 Hamilton 24, 5 Stirling County 22, 6 GHA 22