Men's 1XV need 5pts and a big Biggar win for Nat 1 Survival
Womens team look to progress in National Shield.
LET"S FILL THE BALCONY!
Two vital games are happening at Canal Park this Saturday, 1st March, for very different reasons. One team is fighting to avoid relegation, while the other aims to advance in the National Shield.
HIGHLAND MEN’S 1XV
This is Highland’s last league game of the 24/25 season. Three teams will be relegated from the 10-team National League Division 1 this season. Bottom-placed Dundee Rugby is already relegated.
Highland (8th) will face Peebles RFC (9th) in a crucial bottom-of-the-table clash. Both teams need a 5-point win to have any chance of staying in National League Division 1. However, their fate is not entirely in their hands.
With Dundee already down, 7th-placed Boroughmuir, with 38 points, is in the driving seat. They have a home game against Biggar on Saturday. A home win for Boroughmuir would result in both Highland and Peebles being relegated to National 2 next season. Even 2 points from a losing bonus and a try bonus might be enough for Boroughmuir to survive. But a loss by 8 points or more could spell trouble for them.
If Highland secures a 5-point win against Peebles, they can reach 40 points. Boroughmuir, currently on 38 points, has a significantly better point differential than Highland. Highland can afford Boroughmuir picking up 1 point from their game, either through a try bonus or a losing bonus, giving them a total of 39 points. However, if Boroughmuir gets two points from a loss, the points differential will likely come into play. Ideally, Highland needs Biggar to beat Boroughmuir by 8 points or more.
First, Highland must secure a 5-point win against Peebles, which will be no easy task. Peebles will fight just as hard to maintain their place in National 1 for another season.
Highland’s confidence will be boosted by their 43-15 win in Dundee last weekend, where they scored 6 tries, 5 conversions, and a penalty. The team showed the hallmarks of the confident running rugby we all love to see from Highland teams.
The lads were pleased with their win but remain focused on the next task. In the team huddle, the message was clear – only a 5-point win this week will do. If they’re going down, they’re going down fighting every step of the way.
Highland vs. Peebles RFC, Canal Park, KO 3 PM
YOU CAN HELP US GET OVER THE LINE! WE’RE CALLING ON EVERYONE TO GET DOWN TO CANAL PARK ON SATURDAY.
LET’S FILL THE BALCONY AND MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE LADS AND THE LADIES (SEE BELOW) AS THEY BOTH LOOK TO GET THE JOB DONE.
HIGHLAND WOMEN’S 1XV
Highland Women start earlier in the afternoon, looking for a result against Inverness Craig Dunain to progress to the next stage in the National Shield.
The women’s team narrowly lost against a well-drilled Greenock Wanderers side. Highland gave the visitors too much of a lead to recover from, but they came roaring back in the final stages, narrowly losing 24-29.
On Saturday, 1st March, they face local rivals Inverness Craig Dunain, who were awarded a 28-0 win when Strathmore forfeited their game against Craig on 16th February.
Highland Women vs. Inverness Craig Dunain, Canal Park, KO 2 PM