Highland Raptors and Inverness Craig Dunain to return to Caledonia North league action after winter break

Highland 2nd XV will continue the defence of their Caledonia North Two title when they welcome third-placed North Police to Canal Park tomorrow.

The Raptors returned to the top of the league table before Christmas thanks to a points deduction for Aberdeen Grammar 2nds.

Grammar, who could not field a side for what was supposed to be their last match of 2019, had appeared to take the initiative in the title race after Highland surprisingly lost to Mackie Academy.

Theirs was just one in a spate of call-offs across the league in December, meaning Highland have not played since November 23, while North Police were last in action a week later.

The Raptors have good memories of the last time they faced North Police back in September, edging over the line by the slightest of margins of 31–29.

Meanwhile, two divisions further down the Scottish Rugby pyramid Inverness Craig Dunain will be hoping to continue the momentum they built before Christmas when they travel to Dyce.

Craig Dunain managed to close the gap to the top of the table to six points before the break, and have home fixtures left against both of the teams sitting above them in Caledonia North Four.

But first they will be trying to make it back-to-back victories on the road after registering a strong 42–7 win away at Aberdeenshire 2nd XV in November as they aim to win promotion at the end of the season.

ICD have been in good form in Caley Four, stringing together victories in each of the last three games they have played.

But after Ellon 2nds could not raise a team in the middle of last month, Aberdeenshire was the last time Craig Dunain took to the field, meaning they will have to be wary of being caught cold in Dyce tomorrow afternoon.

Inverness Craig Dunain’s women’s side returned to training this week as they begin step up preparations for knockout action.

Their league promotion hopes were ended by Shetland in November, and they now await the draw for the first round of the Sarah Beaney Cup.

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