Highland face new test with promoted Carnoustie
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Coach Alister Wemyss admits that Highland do not know much about their opponents this weekend but a win is vital to maintain their early-season push.
Two wins from two, against Strathmore and Caithness, have Highland where they expected to be near the top of the table and two of the other expected challengers, Gordonians and Glenrothes, face each other tomorrow.
Wemyss will take the team in the absence of Dave Carson and is boosted by the return of prop Stuart Watson from an ankle injury but Sinclair Patience, Craig Findlater and Jonny Milton miss out. Richard Sim and Craig Little are expected to play for the second XV.
Highland will be prepared for whatever Carnoustie throw at them, says Wemyss, and the return of Watson will help.
“We’ll concentrate on our own strengths and have a plan to counter-act whatever they do. We’re after a bonus-point win as getting those in the bank early on can be vital later on in the season,” he said.
“Stuart gives us a bit of stability in the scrummage. We’ve not really had a problem there in the last two years but with Stuart and Jonny out, with Sinclair not ready to return, we had a bit of a patch-up job there. Stuart gives us another platform to attack from.”
The Fife side have not had an easy start at this level after promotion from BT Caledonia Division Two Midlands, with defeats home and away. One man they will have to try and contain is Andrew Findlater, who has racked up seven tries in his first two games since returning to the club.
“Andrew brings a lot to the team. You can see the strength he has and for him to get seven tries already is a bonus,” added Wemyss.
Highland’s second XV start their league programme on Saturday and they too are on the road, further up the east coast to play Gordonians second XV. With big numbers at training, coaches Alastair McKenzie and James Hay will have a good squad to travel. Gordonians are likely to be one of the big challengers in this division and with no warm-up matches, Highland will probably find things tough going until the side settles.
Highland’s junior section continues their President’s Conference campaigns with first away trips for some and first home games for the rest, all against Boroughmuir.
On Saturday the under-18s make the trip to Meggetland in Edinburgh and despite losing their two opening matches, the squad is continuing to improve. The home side have had an equally difficult start so this game might be a close encounter again.
On Sunday the under-16s and under-15s make the trip to Edinburgh while the under-14s and under-13s are at home at Canal Park.
The Minis and Micros have their Sunday training sessions at 11am.
