Highland can take big step towards title
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HIGHLAND are on the verge of sealing the Caledonia Division 2 North title, with a bonus point win tomorrow enough to make their lead virtually unassailable.
A big win over Aberdeenshire 2nd XV would mean that only one point would be required from their final four matches to make the title theirs.
The Canal Park side have a strong squad available, although they will be missing four regular players, with Gareth High, Tam Magowan and Matt Allan unavailable. Simon Stephen is out for several weeks due to knee ligament damage.
David Titteringham is set to come in for Allan at centre and the pairing of Nathan McLaughlan and James Taylor in the second row worked very well after Stephen was injured last Saturday against Garioch. Ben Gordon has been a regular on the bench and coach Dave Carson is considering giving him a starting role for the match.
Aberdeenshire were tipped to be serious title contenders at the start of the season and cannot be taken lightly. Carson has continued to push his team hard in training, in the hope of securing the bonus point required in front of a bumper home crowd.
Numbers at training continue to be high as the squad is prepared for the season run-in, which features rearranged league fixtures and both the North and National Bowls still to be played.
Highland’s under-18s are in action this weekend as they travel to play Aberdeen Grammar in the semi-final of the Caledonia Cup. A near full-strength squad will be confident that they can get a result and make it to the final.
The under-16 team has some work ahead before a friendly against Caithness on 16th March, after a defeat against National League side Falkirk.
Highland started well, pressurising Falkirk for the first five minutes. Although they came close to scoring, the opportunity was lost to a turnover.
Falkirk came back strongly and dominated play to score three tries, topped up with a conversion and penalty for a 20-0 half-time advantage.
Highland made some changes which im proved their play and showed more of their earlier season form. But Falkirk were always dangerous and they grabbed another try to make it a long way back for Highland.
They battled on and secured a consolation try by Aiden Kent for a final score of 25-5.
Highland’s young side learnt a valuable lesson in not to under-estimate their opposition. Had they showed the same skill and determination as they did against Dundee Eagles, the final score could have been very different.
They have the Caithness friendly on 16th March before the Caledonia Shield final against league adversaries Ellon on 23rd March at Canal Park.
On Sunday, Highland’s under-14s and under-13s also travel to Aberdeen Grammar for a pair of friendly matches, which will provide useful match experience for the youngsters.
Highland’s Minis return to a normal 11am Sunday training session alongside the Micros.
Last Sunday a bus of players and parents travelled to the Caithness RFC mini festival. The P6
The P4
The P4
Both the P4
Inverness Craig Dunain have completed their league campaign after a 15-17 victory away to Gordonians 2nd XV.
Craig Dunain have done well against some tough opposition to guarantee a finish in the top half of the league and now have some friendly matches lined up against touring sides before the season’s end.
