Canal Park holds the key to Kelso's title challenge.
Highland RFC v Kelso, 15th April 2023, KO 15:00 We welcome Kelso RFC to Canal Park for both teams' last game in season 22/23 this Saturday 15th April. It's an important game for both clubs - but especially for Kelso. Kelso top the table with 92 points, 10 ahead of 2nd place Ayr, Kelso's points differential is also 87 points better than Ayr. The title is so close they can nearly touch it.
The thing is 2nd placed Ayr have two games to go, but neither of them are this weekend.
Meaning if Highland win at home this weekend, crucially without Kelso gaining a point of any kind, Ayr would be in the position of knowing exactly what they would need to do in their games, even down to how many points they would have to score to secure the title.
All of which means that Kelso know a point of any kind on Saturday secures the title and promotion to the premiership. You can bet your bottom dollar that they are coming looking for a win to secure the title in style.
As for Highland, we have consolidated our position in Nat 1 again. It's been a roller coaster ride - highs and lows. Some unexpected losses, some games where it felt like we didn't turn up. Some great wins, some superb rugby. There were some really tight competitive games against the top sides in the league - both home and away.
We've pushed Melrose close at the Greenyards, I still think the ref was wrong about that Highland forward pass in the last play of the game. Lost by a point at Millbrae when Ayr made a breakout from their own 22 to snatch the game in the last minute. We also pushed Kelso hard down at Poynder Park when they won 24-21 - if only we had another 5 minutes.
These are the games that make a difference in championship races, but they are also the games that our lads will have learned the most from.
Our lads are hungry to test themselves against the best, the table currently says that is Kelso. History says that Kelso have struggled at Canal Park, we've won the last two encounters in Inverness, but this is a Kelso team on the rise.
The lads are pumped for the challenge in the knowledge that Saturday is the last chance to put it all out there for this season. Add to that it's our home game and as you know it means so much to the lads to take the field in front of a packed balcony.
Co-captain Callum Carson wanted to make sure that I passed on the teams thanks to all the supporters and sponsors for all their amazing support during this season
Lets really make the effort to get down to the club - lets pack the place - and really make some noise to support the lads this Saturday.
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