Angry Highland to protest to SRU over no-show opponents
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All three opponents scheduled for the city’s sides have withdrawn from their respective fixtures, citing player availability as the reason they cannot fulfil their commitments.
Carnoustie requested a postponement on Wednesday because of a shortage of front-row players, although Highland head coach Dave Carson believes this is a smokescreen for not wanting to come to Inverness at this time of year.
As the Inverness Courier went to press, Carnoustie were looking into the possibility of recruiting from a “player pool” to help them field the side, something which Carson says he has never heard of before.
Highland’s second team match was also cancelled by Aberdeen University Medics, while North Scotland Police withdrew from their fixture with Inverness Craig Dunain. Fortunately, Highland’s second XV and Craig Dunain have been able to arrange a game between themselves, after the original fixture was postponed earlier this month.
“We’re certainly going to put something to the SRU about teams not willing to come to Inverness,” said a frustrated Carson. “Everyone has seen the fixture list – it’s been out since July – so it’s up to them to get organised and sort out any problems before now. They’re trying to use the safety card.
“I’ve never heard of anyone using this player pool before. I think it’s just them not wanting to come up, be it with work’s nights out arranged for the Friday night or with Christmas coming up. One of our former players has offered to play for them so we’re going to call their bluff on the lack of a front row, but we’re not expecting them to come.”
It would be the fourth game Highland have lost because of call-offs, with two games against Hillfoots and last weekend’s north derby with Caithness not played because the greens’ opponents could not field a side.
Carson’s team are already three games behind leaders Gordonians and he has expressed fears over a potential fixture backlog, which could see them playing into May.
A points deduction is the punishment for teams that are unable to fulfil fixtures, with Hillfoots receiving their punishment for calling off against Highland in October. The same is expected for Caithness after their postponement last week.
The prospect of playing games during the Six Nations in February will be suggested by the club to the SRU, as most teams go without fixtures throughout the month. Highland have already got a rescheduled game against Hillfoots and a further tie against Gordonians in February, with Carson anticipating further call-offs because of winter weather, needing to be slotted in.
“I’m really going to fight to make sure we’re not playing in May,” he added. “It’s not right when you’re dealing with amateur players. You need to give them time off.”
Solutions to the problem of withdrawals are not without their complications, however.
“Teams could still get deducted points and us awarded five points and a 50-0 victory, but if it that ends up deciding a title then that might be a problem,” said Carson.
Fellow title rivals Glenrothes and Gordonians face each other this weekend, so Highland could be further cut adrift come their return to competitive rugby against Dunfermline on January 9.
The SRU were contacted for comment in response to Highland’s allegations but were unable to respond before the Courier went to press.
On Sunday the Minis and Micros hold their annual Christmas training and party session which will mean festive fun for the kids, coaches and parents.
On Wednesday there was a huge turnout by club members and players, past and present, for the funeral of former Highland president Cliff Gorman.
