Ross Sutherland look to win North Bowl final in Invergordon on Saturday
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Ross Sutherland will once again lock horns with Kinloss Eagles tomorrow – only this time the North Bowl final is at stake.
The two teams have been tied together at the top of the Highlands and Islands Conference of the Caledonia North Two all season, and have a win apiece over each other in the league.
It should perhaps be no surprise, then, that the two clubs have progressed into their regional cup final.
With the game being played in Invergordon tomorrow, home advantage may give Ross Sutherland every reason to be confident of a victory that would put them just 80 minutes from a return to Murrayfield for the first time since 2018.
“It’s brilliant, it’s such a good rivalry,” Stags coach Murray Kennedy said.
“The quality of rugby that both teams are playing and the players involved will make it a really exciting final.
“A lot is riding on this game in terms of both winning a cup and also progressing to the national side of it and trying to get to Murrayfield again.
“They’re a good rival, and it will be good to test ourselves against them again.
“We’ve been looking out for their results, and I imagine they’ve been looking out for our results too. You need that.
“Other teams in the league are pretty good as well, but you want someone to make you look over your shoulder to push you on. It keeps us on our toes.”
The Stags will have close to a full squad available to them, with only James Scott out injured, as they go in search of a National Bowl semi final spot as well as adding another trophy to their cabinet.
“It’s a really good opportunity for the boys to do something quite special,” Kennedy added.
“We’ve always had good players, and a few from that cup run in 2018 are still here.
“It’s just a case of trying to put it together on the pitch, and this year the league form has helped to create a winning mentality. Now they have to believe they can get a result on Saturday.”
