Home form must travel on the road for Highland
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HIGHLAND will be out to avenge one of their worst defeats in recent memory at Kelso tomorrow in National One.
Fresh from a stirring 36-16 win over Biggar, head coach Dave Carson is demanding his players take home form with them to the borders.
A crushing 43-3 defeat to Kelso represented a real low for the Canal Park squad on September 11 last year, but last weekend’s rip-roaring five try display was timely.
“The backs are really pushing it wide at the moment and our winger Magnus Henry is on fire,” Carson said. “He scored two tries and made another two. He’s showing confidence in his ability and just what a class player he is.
“Now we need to take this form on the road. It is alright doing it at home, in front of the balcony with 120 ladies at Ladies’ Day and the normal support all screaming for you.
“The players have shown what they can do as individuals, units and as a whole team. The only thing they won’t have this weekend is the backing of a crowd, so they’ve got to raise those energy levels from within themselves and their team-mates.”
A victory could lift Highland close to second-placed Kelso on points in the table, but the Poynder Park outfit will be in confident mood after four wins from four.
“Last year we went down and they gave us a good hiding,” Carson recalled. “If you don’t face up to their typical Borders’ forwards you’ll get done over, which we were last time. It was a very sore one – our worst defeat in years – and it went from bad to worse. We’re well aware of what Kelso can produce, especially at home, and we need to be ready to counter it. Like Biggar, they’ve a big pack and we just need to get right in about them.
“It is something for us coaches to look at, but the players must look at themselves as well. They’re good enough to beat most sides, but a lot of it is about how mentally tough you are at these places.”
