Exiles resurface to take on Ross Sutherland in memorial game
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Ross Sutherland will be holding their annual memorial fixture tomorrow, where once again a team of former players will face the current squad in Invergordon.
Dubbed the Exiles, last year they lost 28–22 to the Stags in the game played in memory of Daniel Rafferty and Dave Mackay.
It will be a valuable run out for Ross Sutherland in a season where they have so far struggled for game time.
They will still have only played five matches in Caledonia North Two by the time 2020 rolls in, something that has been a source of great frustration for player/head coach John Mann.
“If we play every game now, we’ll be playing until March 14, which is still early by last season’s standards,” Mann said.
“But there are going to be call-offs for weather in January and February, so we could be looking at playing into April again.
“That is just too late in my opinion.
“I like to think I like rugby more than most people, and by March time even I’m thinking I want to go and do something else.
“My dream would be to play every week for 20 weeks, and then that’s it, rugby is done for the year. I know that has got its obvious problems, but just having a game here or there is no use.”
Thankfully for the Stags, their second side has been able to pick up some friendly matches that has helped to keep players match fit.
However, according to Mann that is just not enough.
“The benefit for our club is that our 2nds have been able to pick up so many games, that some of our young lads have been playing games with them,” he added.
“Some of our boys probably have played 10 games this year, but when you’re in your late-teens or 20s, you can play every Saturday with no worries at all.
“It’s the older boys in their 30s that want a week off. The spring chickens can go all day, and they need to play every weekend to learn.”
