No margin for error as Caledonia Reds tackle do-or-die trip to capital

Caledonia Reds head to Raeburn Place to take on Edinburgh tomorrow knowing that they need a win to keep their hopes of retaining the Inter-District Championship title alive.

The Reds were pipped by Glasgow and The West 26-22 in week one last time out while Edinburgh led for the majority of their match with The South, but lost out 27-24.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back at Edinburgh Accies’ ground to give them a chance of topping the standings heading into the final round of fixtures on April 6.

In clubland, Orkney will look to continue their excellent home record this season when they take on Allan Glen’s at Pickaquoy in their penultimate league fixture.

A win here would guarantee Orkney a secondplace finish.

In the National Shield, Linlithgow and Portobello play their delayed quarterfinal with the winners progressing to take on Moray in the last four on April 6.

There are two Caledonia One North Conference matches, Aberdeen Wanderers hosting RAF Lossiemouth and Ellon travelling to Caithness.

In that division’s playoffs, Aberdeenshire are taking on Panmure and Highland’s second string while Moray are at home to Grangemouth Stags and Dundee Rugby’s second team, respectively.

This evening in Caledonia North Two’s Grampian Conference, Deeside are taking on Gordonians’ second team.

Tomorrow, in the same league, North Police Scotland know a bonuspoint win over Banff would see them confirmed as topping that section before the top two join with the top two from the Highlands and Islands Conference for the play-offs.

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks. The loss at Ross Sutherland in the Caledonia Bowl semi-finals was hard to take and not having a game immediately after to get it out our system was difficult,” Niall Sutherland from North Police Scotland said.

“That said, everyone is raring to go for this game. It’s always a tough game against Banff but we’re aiming for five points to secure top spot in the Conference and then will look towards the play-offs.”

Meanwhile, Ross Sutherland and Highland product Jake Henry is loving life with Edinburgh Rugby after recovering from a number of injuries.

Henry was born in south London, but his family moved up to Dingwall and the surrounding area when he was three and he has strong links with the area.

Currently, the winger is in South Africa on URC league business with Edinburgh ahead of their game with the Sharks in Durban tomorrow.

He scored a try last weekend on his competitive debut for the club in the 43-21 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.

“My debut has been a long time coming,” said the 23-year-old former under20 and sevens cap.

“I’ve just been out for so long with so many injuries.

“When I first came to Edinburgh, I ruptured my Achilles, then got rehabilitated back from that. I went on loan to the sevens, then played some pre-season games at Edinburgh – then, in training, I got caught awkwardly and ruptured my ACL. That put me out for a good year.

“After the knee injury, there were a couple of times when I was worried if I’d be able to come back and perform at that level.

“You just keep in good spirits.

“These big injuries can be quite dark, and having your mates around you pulling you through has been huge.”

PRESSURE ON: Caledonia Reds started their campaign with a narrow defeat last weekend and are targeting victory over Edinburgh tomorrow.

Winger Jake Henry.