Highland won't party until key matches are won - Carson
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HIGHLAND head coach Dave Carson insists celebrations will be put on hold – even if they do enough to win BT Caledonia Division One against leaders Gordonians in Aberdeen tomorrow.
The curtain falls on Gordonians’ home season agianst Highland, who with 14 wins from 14 league games are all but certain to win the title.
However, a week on Saturday, Highland will be going for glory at Murrayfield when they face Carrick in the BT National Shield final.
Carson, who hopes to guide his winners into National Division Three next term, insists the games have been getting tougher, but with plenty at stake his players keep delivering.
He said: "The players have been fantastic because it’s been a long, hard season and they have gone about the business and we are close to reaping the rewards. To be undefeated is great and the players keep topping it every week.
"We are seen as a scalp in every game – every team wants to be the first to beat Highland, so every game is getting tougher, both in mind and body, but we have prepared as normal this week and are ready apart from a few bumps and bruises."
A 50-0 home cruise against Gordonians in October was followed one week later with a 40-8 Caledonia Shield victory against them also in Inverness, but Carson can’t see tomorrow’s clash being quite as simple.
He warned: "This is their last game of the season and after losing to us earlier this season they won’t want that to happen at home – they won’t roll over. They are top of the league and will have pride in that.
"I’m not sure if there is a chance for us to clinch the title with a win, depending on the Glenrothes result (at home to Hillfoots). We just want to go there, get the job done and hopefully get the chance to win it at home to Carnoustie on April 23. We will have a pint or two afterwards, but celebrations can wait because we will have Murrayfield to focus on next."
Highland’s players, who scored a fine 39-19 league win at third-placed Glenrothes last week, know that a strong performance can catch Carson’s eye ahead of next Saturday’s final.
The boss (right) explained: "It’s a chance for the players, not just in the first team.
The seconds are two points ahead in Caledonia Division Two (North) and if we go up we need the seconds to be playing at as high a level as possible for the good of the club as a whole.
"With the final and the Murrayfield appearance now just over a week away, and 22 players in that squad, there could be places up for grabs on Saturday."
Highland will be boosted by the return of Rory Cross, but Tam Magowan (knee) and Morris Dillon (shoulder) will be assessed today, while winger Craig Findlater is unavailable due to work commitments.
The second string share the bus through to Aberdeen as they play North Scotland Police with the race with Banff for the BT Caledonia League Division Three North still tight.
The pressure is on for an important bonus point victory and to not give any ground to Banff, who will also be in the Granite City playing Aberdeen University.
Coaches James Hay and Alistair McKenzie have a strong squad for the trip, yet the Police side will not be an easy side to get the better of. Both Highland matches have 1pm kick-offs.
The remaining fixtures have been adjusted to allow the squad to support the 1st XV at Murrayfield.
The under-18s are still keen to keep playing
before Caledonia Finals Day on April 26 and they have a home friendly with Ross Sutherland, who may have their squad boosted with players from Huntly.
The under-16s are also hoping for more game time and may also play Ross Sutherland on Sunday.
There was some great news, meanwhile, from the SRU as former Highland youngster Patrick Kelly, who is now with Glasgow Hawks and was part of the 2015 under-20 Scotland Six Nations squad, has been awarded a John Macphail Rugby Scholarship alongside Ross McCann of Stewart’s Melville.
It will see them travel to New Zealand where they will spend 15 weeks immersed in the nation’s renowned rugby culture and
high-performance training.
