Club veteran Morris admits final is 'biggest game'
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WHEN Andrew Morris first joined Caithness RFC as a back row in 1996, he never thought he’d see the day when he would be playing in a national final.
Eighteen years, 314 games and a switch to middle row later, the Olrig farmer said tomorrow’s final will be the biggest game of his career by a country mile.
"This is by far the biggest game I’ve ever played in as well as the biggest game the club has been involved in," he said. "We’ve had a few show games in the Scottish Cup where we’ve hosted Melrose at Millbank, but there was no way we were going to get a sniff against them and lost by 100 points.
"But this is a winnable final for us and it is tremendous to see the club doing so well given our strength in depth is not as great as other clubs around the country.
"We only have a small catchment area compared to other clubs, but we’re buzzing for the final and it should be a great weekend for us."
Making the first team squad at the age of 20, Morris is now the veteran of the club where the vast majority of his team-mates are under the age of 30.
During his time there he has seen the squad continue to improve and is proud to still be a key player in a team packed full of quality young players.
"When I started off in 1996, I was the youngster of the team," he said. "I’ve just turned 38 and now I’m playing with good young players who have just turned 18 and 19.
"It’s turned on its head – I have become the old head when I’ve always thought of myself as the young spring chicken. But it is great to still be involved in such a good team."
Two years ago, Caithness beat Preston Lodge at Millbank before losing narrowly away at Prestonpans later that season and Morris is predicting tomorrow’s final will be another close encounter.
He said their opponents’ league form has been impressive, but claims they haven’t faced anyone as good as Caithness and is confident his side can bring the shield back to the far north.
"We have no fears for Saturday, we have a really good chance of winning the final."
