Caithness in ongoing talks over impact of call-offs
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As the Greens wait to see if they will again be stood up at the altar on Saturday, talks continue between Caithness and Scottish Rugby about call-off protocols and sanctions for teams that fail to travel.
Ellon are due at Millbank for a Caley 1 fixture which they have previously twice failed to fulfil. They also scratched from their scheduled National Shield tie in Thurso in February.
Aberdeen Wanderers were the latest no-show, pulling out on Thursday from Saturday’s rearranged fixture because of a lack of numbers.
That brings this season’s toll of opposition call-offs to nine.
Scottish Rugby has marked the latest two cancellations by Ellon and Wanderers by docking them four and five points respectively.
The far north club’s concern about the issue led to a meeting in its Thurso clubhouse with Scottish Rugby’s Caledonia North regional development manager Gavin Macrae last Thursday.
Club president Frank Bremner said it was made clear the inconvenience and financial loss the late call-offs are causing. This extends to cancelling catering arrangements, standing down bar staff and rearranging match sponsorship packages as well as players losing out on work shifts.
He said: “We discussed all the issues we are experiencing. The meeting was very positive and we had players attending to give a fully transparent view on everything.
“Talks are ongoing as we need to speak directly with the competition committee to ascertain a resolution.
“Scottish Rugby is fully aware of our issues and we are working together to seek a positive outcome that will account for the disadvantaged position our first team is in.”
RAF Lossiemouth, who failed to travel to play Caithness, have withdrawn from the league, with all their results void.
The readjusted standings in the North Conference of Caley 1 mean Caithness can leapfrog Ellon into fifth if they win their two outstanding fixtures.
The Wanderers match has been rearranged for April 20.
Greens coach Cameron Boyd said: “We’re just hoping we manage to get a game on Saturday.”
It is scheduled to kick off at 3pm.
