Ultra-competitive division is ideal for developing young players, says Caithness head coach
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Caithness are finding life in Caley League 1 tough, with the club among a clutch chasing leaders Orkney for the single promotion spot.
But the ultra-competitive feel to the division is welcomed by head coach Ewen Boyd, who believes it provides an ideal environment to bring on the cadre of youngsters coming through the ranks.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Dunfermline, he said: "We're quite happy to be playing in the Caley League as it allows us to develop our young players.
"We came out of the national leagues for a reason. It wasn't because of the standard – it was because of the drain on resources that comes with it.
"We've dropped down to the Caley League which is proving very competitive and gives us a chance to confidently blood our youngsters."
Several of the older members of the squad made it clear before the start of the season that they would be unavailable for a number of away games.
That, Boyd said, means teams on the road are having to rely more on the young players. On their last trip, a 21-17 loss to Blairgowrie, five of the pack were aged between 18 and 21.
The competitive nature of the league is reflected in Hillfoots beating Ellon 12-7 on Saturday after the Greens hammered Hillfoots but lost to the north-east side.
Orkney remain top, with their 76-0 home mauling of Aberdeen Wanderers being their fifth bonus-point win on the bounce.
Grangemouth jumped above Dunfermline into second after a 26-18 victory at Glenrothes.
The Greens would re-establish their title credentials should they prevail tomorrow and in next Saturday's home clash versus Wanderers.
Boyd, whose side had a free day last Saturday, said: "We let ourselves down a bit at Blairgowrie. Our ball-carrying and our defensive alignment was not good enough and they need to improve.
"Dunfermline are a pretty robust, well-organised side and we'll have to be at our best to get a result."
Centre Charlie Quinn is unavailable and scrum-half Kris Hamilton is struggling to recover from a hamstring injury which forced his early exit in Blairgowrie.
The match at Millbank kicks off at noon.
