Key players set to miss out as Krakens prepare for Orkney trip
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Competitive rugby has arrived early for Caithness Krakens as they prepare to travel to Orkney on Saturday.
Holiday commitments and injuries have stretched resources as they get their new campaign under way.
Coach Mike Flavell is happy with how training has gone following their barnstorming debut season.
He said: "The sessions have gone reasonably well and we've been getting decent numbers. We've had a couple of new faces and we have kept just about all of last year's squad."
The opener versus Orkney Dragons has been brought forward to coincide with the Orkney Hot Tubs 10s.
As a result, a number of the Caithness squad had arranged to be on holiday this weekend. In addition, two of their top performers, full-back Caitlin Harvey (ankle) and centre Shannon Pasotti (shoulder), remain sidelined.
The Krakens are again in the Caley North Regional 1 League with defending champions Shetland Valkyries, the Dragons, Aberdeen Quines, Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Inverness Craig Dunain.
Their first season saw them finish joint third in the league and make the semi-final of the National Bowl.
Unlike last year, when the teams played just once against each other in the league, this season involves home and away clashes.
Flavell said: "I think this season is definitely going to be a lot harder because of the extra games. A second season is also tough, as we have to try and live up to the expectations built up last year.
"One good thing about the length of the season this time is that, unlike last year, if you lose one or two games early on, it doesn't put you out of the running."
The Krakens are likely to travel on Saturday with the bare bones, with the team heavily weighted towards forwards.
"A few are going to have to play out of their normal position," the coach said. "We'll be looking to play a really tight, compact game."
The game coincides with the men's 10s tournament and a fun day staged at Orkney RFC's Pickaquoy base.
