NATIONAL 3

Orkney head coach Paul Livingstone has warned his players to beware a backlash from tomorrow’s opponents Dumfries Saints.

Dumfries were knocked off the top of the table last weekend after suffering their first loss of the season against Highland, whose 13-12 win, secured by a late drop goalfromScottFraser, moved the Inverness side into first place.

Livingstone knows Saints will be out to ensure they suffer no further slips in their attempt to reclaim top spot but believes his players can cause their opponents problems. He said: “We are quietly confidentbutwithoutbeing arrogant enough to think it will be easy against a frustrated team.

“Dumfries have just been knocked off the top by Highland, so they are not

“It won’t be easy against a frustrated team”

going to want to give anything away at home. There is no reason whywe cannot go there and do a job.

“It does not matter how good individuals are, we need consistency as a team. It’s a long trip to Dumfries, we will be going there on Friday and coming back on Sunday. But the players are used to that and they’re looking forward to the game.”

Orkney, in sixth, are only five points behind secondplaced Saints after last weekend’s 52-7 victory against Dalziel.

Livingstone has been pleased with the response of his squad since he took charge at the Pickaquoy club in the summer.

He added: “I’ve onlybeen here two months but I’m enjoying what I’m seeing.

“The players are getting better and stronger. From what I’m being told our discipline is better than what it was, so I would like to think we are more organised.”