With just one league fixture left to play before the top four play-off spots are decided, the Greenyards side remain in pole position to secure second place in the BT Premiership ahead of Ayr, their next opponents, and, with it, a money spinning home semi-final in the draw.

However, as the race for the Scottish championship nears a thrilling conclusion, there is still all to play for.

When asked what it would mean to retain the title having won it in his first season in charge last year, Dalziel told the Border Telegraph: “It would mean absolutely everything. It’s in our cabinet, it’s our cup - we don’t want to let it go easy.

“To win it three times in four years is massive, we don’t want to stop now. We want to keep going.

“I think the players showed against Gala they are on championship winning form and they can rise to these big games. So that’s our focus and anything other than the championship would be a huge disappointment.” While the fate of Melrose remains in their hands following their 24-17 win over Gala on Saturday, the result leaves the Maroons - who came agonisingly close to winning their first championship in more than 30 years last season - relying on other teams doing them a favour to avoid being kicked into touch by Hawick or Currie, with the latter having a game in hand.

The Netherdale side’s task is made all the harder knowing that their final match is away to current league leaders Heriot’s who have already beaten them this season.

Dalziel said: “Our focus today was to cement our second place and the only way we can do that is to keep winning, to take it to the last game against Ayr, and we’ve achieved that today.

“Looking at the last two years, winning the league and then finishing second would be a really good return in terms of a normal season, and it gives us a really good chance in terms of the playoffs - but we’re not there yet.

“That result against Gala only ensures our fate is in our hands going into the final game against Ayr.” But he added: “What that means to Gala we’re not really too fussy about at the moment.” With players on duty for both the Scotland Under 20 and Club international sides, Borders teams take a break from the BT Premiership this weekend.

However, there is local interest in the Currie v Ayr fixture at Malleny Park on Saturday, when Gala will be hoping for an away win and Melrose will favour the home side to keep them in contention.

Gala Head Coach George Graham, who confirmed he is committing himself to the club for another season, said: “We are still in front of them but if Currie win both their games in hand they can jump above us. We have to get a result (in our final game away to Heriot’s) and even that might not be enough to hold on to fourth.”