Caithness Krakens ‘definitely up for the challenge’ in National Plate semi-final
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Caithness Krakens set off on Friday evening with their sights firmly fixed on claiming a place in Scottish rugby's end-of-season Silver Saturday at Murrayfield.
Kirkcaldy stand in the way of Mike Flavell's squad reaching the final of the National Plate. "Everybody is very excited at the chance of getting to the national final," the coach said.
"I'm sure it will be a tough ask but we have a very competitive squad and they're definitely up for the challenge."
Both teams emerged from their qualifying groups with 100 per cent records, scoring three-bonus point wins out of three.
The semi pits the two sides together again following last season's qualifying cup tie in Fife, which the Krakens won 48-29.
Flavell is not reading much into the result as he notes that their opponents, who finished second in Caley Midlands/East 2, have had a major turnover of personnel since.
The game was also a 12-a-side affair which was marred by several prolonged injury stoppages.
Prop Devon Stuart is working, while utility player Donna Edwards is away with her daughter Carla, who is representing Scottish under-16s.
Flavell said: "Our pack is about as strong as I can remember it and our back division looks pretty decent. We also have forward replacements for the front, middle and back rows, which must be a first."
Caitlin Harvey is fielded at stand-off, while Carly Erridge plays full-back. The squad includes exiles Emily Flavell, Olivia Henderson, Kirsty Robertson and Rhianna Mackay.
The club has arranged for them to travel down on Friday, staying overnight in Perth.
Flavell said: "We've been four weeks without a game but the contact sessions in the indoor centre [in Halkirk] on Thursdays have been pretty full-on. In the three years since I have been coach, it's the first time I've seen them really go toe-to-toe with each other."
The final takes place on April 27 at the 7800-capacity Hive Stadium, the home of Edinburgh and Scottish Women, next to Murrayfield.
Carla and clubmate Sarah Manson are in Galashiels this weekend as part of Scottish Rugby’s Pathways under-16 squad taking part in an international festival.
Tamzin Rosie, meanwhile, has been getting a lot of game time for Scotland in the Six Nations under-18 festival in North Wales. Though Scotland have lost to France, Wales, England and Italy, the Caithness scrum-half has won praise for her work in both attack and defence.
In the 12-5 defeat to Italy, Tamzin gave the scoring pass to full-back Hannah Smyth before she saved a certain try near the end.
