Highland out to pile pressure on league-leaders Gordonians
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The two teams meet at Canal Park tomorrow in a battle of the unbeaten clubs, with one of the records almost certain to go.
Carson’s Highland squad edged out Gordonians during their last visit to Inverness at the end of last season, with Stuart Watson’s late try keeping up his side’s hopes of winning the BT Caledonia League Division One title.
“When we play them they are always fantastic games,” said Carson. “It’s an absolutely massive game.“We want to keep our unbeaten home run going and with us being a game behind Gordonians, a win would really put the pressure on them.”
With no players out with injuries it means that Tam Magowan comes back in at centre and Oscar Baird is back to bolster the pack. The impressive play by Richard Sim and Dave Titterington playing for the second XV last Saturday sees them come in to the squad.
Expectations and confidence are high that Highland are well prepared to take on the unbeaten league leaders. With good weather forecast a firm pitch will give the home side the option to play a high tempo game that will utilise the abundant pace out wide. Carson is also confident the pack can match the power of Gordonians forward unit.
“It took a while to knock down the squad to 19 and there were a few guys very disappointed,” he said. “It’s something that hasn’t happened to the club for a while but it’s a great headache to have.
“You can put it down to the success of the club, the fact a number of the under-18s have stayed around or the World Cup, but we had 42 players at training on Tuesday. There’s a real buzz around the club just now.”
It will be quite a day at Canal Park with photo calls for sponsors presenting new strips to the first XV, under-18s and under-16s in the morning followed by an old boys reunion at mid-day, complete with beer tasting laid on by Loch Ness Brewery. Following the big match there will be the small matter of the World Cup Final on the club’s big screens. The club hopes this will see a big home support to cheer Highland on to an important league victory.
Highland’s 2nd XV have a Saturday off with the withdrawal of Mackie Academy 2nd XV from the league.
Gordonians will also have their 2nd XV in Inverness on Saturday as they play Inverness Craig Dunain. This will be an interesting game after the home side’s impressive, big win over Fraserburgh boosting morale.
Highland’s juniors have had a long break which comes to an end for all squads next weekend, but the under-14s and under-13s get back into action early. On Sunday at 1pm both sides play Ellon in a couple of friendly matches which will follow the Mini and Micro training at 11am.
