Caithness coach fears second club could drop out of Caley 1
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A second men's rugby club could be in line to drop out of Caledonia Region League 1, it has emerged.
Should Hillfoots follow Blairgowrie's recent exit, that would leave Caithness with just five opponents.
Hillfoots failed to make their scheduled trip to play Ellon last Saturday and Caithness coach Kenny Russell fears this does not augur well.
He said the Tillicoultry-based club has since let Scottish Rugby and other sides in the division know about its concerns over the cost and logistics of its travel commitments to the north-east and the Highlands.
Blairgowrie have been re-allocated a place in Caley Midlands Region League 2.
Russell said: "We have been told Hillfoots are thinking about pulling out of our league. It seems that since Blairgowrie's move, Hillfoots are now sabre-rattling and perhaps them not going to Ellon was the start of the process."
Should Hillfoots pull out, that would leave the division with only six teams.
The coach was speaking as he looked forward to Saturday's home clash with Grangemouth Stags.
The Greens went down 49-15 at the home of the Stags in the National Shield on the first day of the season.
Russell is looking forward to locking horns with them again in the league.
"It is going to be a big test for us," he said. "We were a bit naive when we went down and were missing a clutch of our big players.
"It will be a different Caithness they will be playing this weekend and we'll be looking for a reaction from our boys."
Scott and Dougie Webster are expected to rejoin the squad, along with second row Kevin Budge, while Reece Coghill is back after being sidelined with a head knock.
Number eight Grant Anderson is unavailable, as is hooker Calum Hill.
The game has a 3pm kick-off.
Dunfermline went top of Caley 1 on Saturday after their 35-16 win at Grangemouth.
Aberdeenshire posted their first win of the season after a 60-26 derby success at home to Aberdeen Wanderers.
Caithness Krakens entertain Orkney Dragons in the Caley North Region Women's League. Their match kicks off at 2.30pm.
