Russell wants Caithness to sign off in style after short campaign
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Caithness 1st XV men's coach Kenny Russell is urging his men to sign off their Caley 1 season on a high on their visit to Aberdeenshire on Saturday.
The campaign has been one of their shortest ever after Blairgowrie withdrew in the opening weeks.
Russell has been using the last couple of games as preparation for next season and would love to back up Saturday's home win versus Aberdeen Wanderers.
He was happy to see improvements in the 34-5 victory at Millbank, which he attributed to hard work put in on the training ground.
"We had 35 at training on Thursday when David Pottinger continued the work he has been putting in with the forwards," Russell said.
"I think that showed in the display on Saturday when our scrum was dominant and our guys were a lot quicker in supporting and securing ball at the breakdown."
Russell remains frustrated at his side's strike rate in converting pressure in the red zone, near the opponents' line.
"Our watchword is patience but after we have two or three phases, too often someone will go on their own and we'll end up being held up over the line or being turned over.
"We definitely left three of four tries out there."
He thought the backs handled well in the conditions and picked some good running lines while lacking penetration in the wide channels.
The Greens defeated ’Shire 34-29 at home in a 10-try thriller in November. Russell expects a similarly tough game on Saturday.
Prop Ally Williams and Sinclair Bremner will miss out on the trip. Williams suffered a badly broken nose right at the end of Saturday's encounter while flank forward Bremner also required a trip to Caithness General, suffering from the effects of concussion.
Centre Cameron Ryder is a major doubt after making an early exit with a shoulder injury.
Front-rower Hamish Coghill and centres Charlie Quinn and Stuart Crighton – missing on Saturday – are all set to return, as is number eight Grant Anderson, unless stormy weather prevents his scheduled return from working offshore.
In the other league game to go ahead, Ellon won 19-8 at home to Grangemouth to reduce the gap on leaders Dunfermline to two points. It leaves the Fifers needing nine points from their last two matches, away to Hillfoots and at home to Wanderers, to make sure of the title.
