Mackie take on unbeaten Inverness men

There are no fixtures in Caledonian Division 1 tomorrow, giving the clubs in the second tier the opportunity to take centre stage.

In Caley 2 North, 2nd Highland will bid to remain the only unbeaten side in the division when they go to Stonehaven to play a Mackie FPs side that has yet to win a game.

The Inverness men sent out a strong message last week that they will be the side to beat after their comprehensive 53-12 win at home to Aberdeenshire.

Barny Henderson, the Shire head coach, remains upbeat despite the setback.

He said: “Highland are a good side, benefiting from having players who occasionally get a game in National League 1. But we learned a lot from the defeat.

“Our game away to Moray presents an opportunity to get back on track, but it’s early days. We now have a second team which will stand us in good stead in what is going to be a long campaign.”

North Police are quietly making their own case, having pushed Highland all the way in a narrow 31-29 defeat in Aberdeen in September.

It makes them strong early candidates for promotion, given that Highland cannot go up by virtue of them having a team in National 1.

A trip to Banff for Police should hold no fears against a Duff House side that has conceded 97 points in two starts.

Police have also beaten 2nd Aberdeen Grammar, who cannot be written off, especially as they have young players aspiring to claim a place in their own high-flying Premiership side, and 2nd Grammar should have too much pace and power for Ross Sutherland at Rubislaw.

The main focus in Caley 3 North is the top-of-thetable clash at King’s College where Aberdeen University will bid to leapfrog leaders Shetland.

The top game in Caley 4 North is between thirdplaced Fraserburgh who entertain second-placed Aberdeen University Medics.