Krakens poised to clinch title after long winter lay-off
Caithness Krakens are set to emerge from a prolonged winter hibernation to formally clinch the Caledonia North 2 title when they entertain Orkney Dragons in the final match in the league.
The visitors sit five points adrift of their county neighbours, who boast full points from their five outings.
The Dragons theoretically could overhaul them but it would need them to win by a margin of 211 points on Saturday.
Their penultimate fixture last week did not take place as Moray failed to make the trip to Kirkwall and forfeited the tie, which has been registered as a 20-0 home victory.
The Krakens’ last competitive outing was on November 30 when they defeated Turriff 67-5.
Some of them featured in the Boxing Day match against Caithness Exiles but the squad only got back into the twice-weekly training regime last week.
“I guess they will be pretty rung-rusty and probably not as fit as they could be,” coach Mike Flavell said.
On the plus side, he has just about a full squad to pick from for this weekend’s match at Millbank.
The only casualty is forward Justine Mackay, who is still feeling the effects of a concussion she suffered in the away match against Moray at the end of October. Centre Lauren Gunn has recovered from a knee injury.
Flavell is seeking to adapt their style of play for the remainder of the season.
“It’s about simplifying our game plan,” he said. “We’re still looking to play fast, attacking rugby but want to get rid of a few of the pre-planned moves from set-pieces to give them a bit more freedom.”
Though the Krakens won 96-3 in Orkney, the coach recalls it as one of their more physical encounters.
“Though the score may not suggest it, it was a pretty hard game and we came off the pitch knowing that we had been in a competitive game,” Flavell said.
“We had to defend for longish spells and we had to work really hard to keep them out. But when we got the ball, we were able to carve them up.”
The match kicks off at 1pm.
The Krakens know what awaits them for the rest of the season once they clinch the league title.
Flavell’s side, who won the National Plate last season, will this time compete in the National Shield, the second-tier competition in the women’s game.
They will go into Pool C alongside Peterhead, Oban Lorne and Howe of Fife, all of whom play in Division 1 of their respective regional leagues. First up on February 8 will be Peterhead away.
The Greens’ scheduled Caley 1 clash on Saturday at home to Ellon fell victim to the cold snap, as did most other matches in Scotland.
They do not have a fixture this weekend, with their next match on January 25 at home to North Police.
The Seconds are away to Fraserburgh in Caley North 3 this Saturday, then home to Skye on January 25.
Remaining fixtures in Caledonia 1 North Conference – Saturday, January 18: Aberdeenshire v Ellon; Highland 2nd XV v Ross Sutherland; Mackie v North Police.
Saturday, January 25: Caithness v North Police; Ellon v Highland 2nd XV; Ross Sutherland v Mackie.
Saturday, February 8: Caithness v Ellon; North Police v Aberdeenshire.
Saturday, February 15: North Police v Highland 2nd XV.
Saturday, February 22: Caithness v Aberdeenshire; Highland 2nd XV v Mackie; North Police v Ross Sutherland.
Saturday, March 1: Aberdeenshire v Mackie; Ellon v North Police.
Saturday, March 22: Ross Sutherland v Aberdeenshire.
League placings – Caledonia 1 North Conference: 1 Highland 2nd XV (played 8, points 28); 2 Mackie (8, 26); 3 Aberdeenshire (7, 25); 4 Ellon (8, 25); 5 Caithness (9, 16); 6 Ross Sutherland (8, 14); 7 North Police (6, 11).