Krakens heading to Edinburgh for National Plate opener
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Caithness Krakens are back in action on Saturday when they head to Edinburgh in national cup action.
They are playing Edinburgh University Thirds in the first of three games in the group stage of the National Plate.
In the other matches, Mike Flavell's side will face familiar foes in North Caledonian 1 League rivals Orkney Dragons, along with Strathmore, who finished fourth in Caley Midlands East League 1.
The students have had a successful season, having just clinched the Caledonia Midlands/East Region Women’s Aspiring League.
Flavell is looking forward to his side bidding to repeat the cup heroics of last season when they reached the semi-finals of the National Bowl, losing out to eventual winners Cartha Queen's Park.
The Krakens will set off for the capital on Friday for their tussle with the students at Peffermill.
Flavell said: "It's two big trips to play in Edinburgh and Forfar [home of Strathmore] but it's great to be playing teams that we haven't played before.
"It will be interesting to see how we get on against them."
Flavell was still to hear back from a few players but hopes most of his regulars will be on the bus.
They have been given a boost by the return of hard-running number eight Emmy Smith, who last week guested for Orkney in the first game since she gave birth. Also in the frame is back-rower Donna Edwards.
Uni 3rds dominated their league, which they clinched in December with wins against Berwick, Bannockburn and Lasswade in the last of the 20-minutes-a-game series.
Flavell said: "We certainly won't be taking them lightly as they are obviously a decent outfit.
"We improved throughout the league season but our last game was against Shetland before Christmas so we might be a wee bit rusty."
