Caledonia clubs take a break from league action tomorrow, turning their attention to knock out competitions which for the more ambitious will mean targeting a place in a Murrayfield final in the spring.
In the quarter finals of the Caley Shield Aberdeen Wanderers of Caley Division 1 have been handed a plum tie with Garioch, giving the Groats Road an opportunity to field a young side against an Inverurie side who are also promoters of youth policies under the shrewd eye of new coach David Duguid.
Duguid said: “This tie gives us a break from Caley 2 North where we are currently in second place, against a team from a higher division. It will be a good test of where we are at.”
Wanderers are likely to have last week’s hat-trick hero, 19-year-old Fraser Christie, in the team assuming he recovers from having his wisdom teeth removed earlier in the week.
Wanderers coach Fraser Burr said: “If Fraser is not available we will have a number of young guns getting their chance, including 18 year olds Liam Rongonui and Elliott Chadwick.”
Mackie FP’s travel to Grangemouth, bidding to shake off the memory of last weekend’s 55-25 mauling at home to Moray.
In the Caley Bowl Ross Sutherland will fancy their chances at home to Fraserburgh in the last eight of the competition while Aberdeen University take on North Scotland Police at Kings College in a game which will also double as league game in Caley 3 North.
Huntly meet Peterhead at Market Muir where both teams will have set their minds of at least reaching the semi-final stages.
Ellon have the opportunity to advance their cause on two fronts as their tie at Deeside will also be a double header in Caley 2 North.
Head coach Sam Mountain said: “We normally take one game at a time, though it’s a great chance to move nine points above nearest challengers Garioch, while claiming a place in the semis of the Bowl, but we’ll be sure to get a game at Woodend, so we’re not going to get too excited. There’s a lot of rugby to be played yet.”
