Orkney aiming to make winning return

Caley Division 1 leaders Orkney will return to action for the first time since October when they take on Blairgowrie in Kirkwall tomorrow.

Garry Coltherd’s side have not played since a 52-19 defeat against Ellon at the Meadows on October 30.

The Orkney head coach was confident his charges would be ready despite the lay-off.

He said: “We have lost none of our desire to return to the national leagues.”

Second-placed Caithness travel to Hillfoots where head coach Ewan Boyd expects a tough challenge from the home side, but said: “It would be good to get a game under our belts before our big derby game at home to Orkney next week.”

Ellon are not in action but Aberdeen Wanderers are at Groats Road where they host Grangemouth Stags. A defeat for either side would likely rule them out of a high finish in the top Caley league.

The most significant game in Caley 2 North will be at Woodside where Aberdeenshire meet Highland 2nd which could go a long way to determining the outcome of who wins the league.

A win for Shire would set them up for a crack at Moray, the narrow leaders, next week, whereas victory for the Inverness side would open up the way for a Highland charge at the title.

Moray will aim to concentrate on improving their threepoint advantage at the head of affairs in a home game with Ross Sutherland.

In Caley 3 North, Gordonians 2nd travel to Shetland, while in Caley 4 North, leaders Dyce will be in Peterhead defending their three-point advantage over Deeside who have a much stiffer task when they meet Highland 3rd.