Latest 'very stressful' postponement means Caithness Rugby Club's season will extend into April with strong of matches at Millbank
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Caithness men's rugby XV were due to have wrapped up their Caley North One Highlands and Islands conference programme next week with their final match away to Aberdeen Wanderers.
However, an unprecedented run of home call-offs means their season will end with five back-to-back matches at Millbank from January to the start of April.
The seventh cancellation came after struggling Wanderers had selection problems through a combination of injuries, unavailable students and players working offshore.
Greens coach Cameron Boyd said the city side got in touch on the Monday to flag up their problems, but after being warned by Scottish Rugby that they faced a four points deduction, they deferred a final decision until Friday evening by when it was apparent Millbank would be frostbound.
Boyd said: "I totally recognise Wanderers are going through a really difficult time just now but the uncertainty over whether the game was on or not was very stressful. We have guys who are juggling their work commitments and we have off-the-park arrangements to think about."
Caithness now prepare to host conference leaders Aberdeenshire tomorrow.
Boyd said: "We have played just once at home and six times away in what has been very much a stop/start season.
"We have played half the games that 'Shire have so that does us no favours."
The Greens will miss centre Douglas Webster following the red card he was shown in the away defeat to Highland Seconds. Stuart Crichton is set to replace him in what will be his first outing of the season.
Scrum half Euan MacDonald is out with knee ligament damage he sustained in the match in Inverness.
The game, which kicks off at 2pm, is being sponsored by the Evergreens veteran section of the club.
Boyd said: "The vets have helped us out quite a bit this season with a few of their guys turning out for the second team, so I hope we can put on a decent show for them."
The Seconds are due to face Stornoway on the adjoining pitch at the same time in North Caley League Two.
The Yellows' scheduled match in Plockton versus Skye last Saturday was the victim of the freeze-up.
