SURVIVING in East Division 1 is the target for Ross High RFC this season, according to the club's head coach.

Bob Baillie, who has led the team to two successive promotions since succeeding David Sumner, is looking for a year of "consolidating" in the top regional league.

The Tranent outfit will face a number of tough encounters this season, including local derbies with Dunbar and North Berwick, but Baillie is looking forward to the new campaign.

The 33-year-old told Courier Sport: "For Ross High to be back up in competitive leagues is a massive boost for the town and the sporting community.

"After coming off two consecutive promotions, I can see our team thriving, especially with the competitive nature of East 1."

The squad returned to their Blawearie Road home for their first pre-season session on July 16, but their head coach was impressed with their efforts.

"We've been pretty full-on, and on the fitness front, the guys are really showing the commitment to excel this season," he added.

Baillie, a former club captain was delighted to have persuaded a few of the older heads to stave off retirement, while he hopes to add a few new faces to the squad.

He said: "We've managed to convince a few of the senior heads to play on for another year, which should help us in our targets.

"We hope to have secured the signings of two new players, but neither of them will be available until the middle of August.

"When they do come in, they'll be invaluable to us."

Baillie's charges start their league season at home to Hawick Harlequins on September 3, before a trip to Forresters the following weekend.

The third round of fixtures brings the first East Lothian derby of the East 1 campaign, as they welcome Dunbar to Tranent.

Ross High have to wait until mid-October for their first meeting with last season's runners up, North Berwick, who visit Blawearie on October 15.

While securing their place in the division is the target for the coming season, Baillie has ambitions of leading the side to the national leagues in the near future.

He added: "We want to build for years to come.

"It's a young squad, and the players have the ability to become promotion candidates in future seasons."