Highland postpone fixture to remember club legend
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HIGHLAND’S fixture with Orkney in Kirkwall this weekend has been postponed as a mark of respect as the 1st XV squad will be joining the rest of the club at the funeral of Colin High.
High played in the great Highland side which was crowned Division Two Champions for the 1975-1976 season, completing four promotions on the trot to reach Division One.
He had a pivotal role at stand-off where his skills saw him also selected for the North Midlands district squad. In one of his district appearances he dropped a goal against an All Black select side. His infectious love of rugby influenced generations of players at Fortrose Academy and later as a coach at Highland, while continuing to turn out for the lower XV’s at a time when many would have retired from playing.
His sons David and Gareth caught the rugby bug with Gareth being a regular in the current 1st XV squad.
Rugby stalwart Colin Baillie MBE said: "I knew Colin from when he was a young player and he was a really confident stand-off who believed in his own ability and played in the best Highland side ever to take the field."
High fought his long term illness as he did life, with great fortitude and a smile. High’s funeral will be this afternoon at the Inverness Crematorium at 2.30pm after which there will be a reception at the Highland clubhouse. Club members are asked to wear their club ties and while only family flowers are requested, donations can be made to the Highland Hospice.
On Saturday Highland have two sides travelling to play Mackie Academy. The under-18s, joint leaders of the National League, will be wanting to continue their great form although coach John Carson will be looking for more consistency.
Wavering concentration gave Highland some nervy moments against Ellon. Travelling with the youngsters will be the senior second XV who get a much-needed game. They are needing to get their league season underway and it will be a strong side that will travel.
On Sunday the under-16s have a weekend off while the under-15s travel to play Ross Sutherland with an unbeaten record to maintain too. The U14s and U13s travel to Aberdeen for friendly matches against Wanderers.
The Minis and Micros have their 11am Sunday morning training session as usual.
