Krakens are ‘buzzing’ ahead of National Plate final in Edinburgh
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The Krakens have a chance to make a bit of history on Saturday when they line up in the final of the women’s National Plate at Murrayfield Hive Stadium.
They will become the first senior Caithness side to secure a Scottish trophy if they do the business in Edinburgh against Uddingston Selkies.
A small army of supporters from the far north will be cheering on Mike Flavell’s team against the South Lanarkshire outfit.
The Krakens booked their place in Scottish Rugby’s end-of-season Silver Saturday after following up their three bonus-point pool victories with a 36-19 win away to Kirkcaldy in the last four.
The Selkies also topped their group with three wins out of three before defeating Perthshire 41-20 in the other semi.
Flavell and his assistant Gary Mackay held an extra tactical session on Sunday before announcing the 22-strong squad for the final.
“We had to make some tough calls and a few unfortunately didn’t make it into the squad, mainly because of the front-row cover we needed to have on the bench,” Flavell said.
“What has been great is that those not included have continued to be involved helping those lucky enough to be in the team.
“They’ve been holding [rucking] shields and acting as opposition defence and so on. I’d really like to acknowledge how important they have been to the team.”
The squad got a big boost at the weekend when Ellie Anderson was passed fit. The lock forward from Wick was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after being injured in a tackle in the semi in St Andrews.
Fears that she had done serious damage to her shoulder/neck area thankfully proved wide of the mark. She suffered discomfort and soreness for some time but has recovered well and was due to play a full part at training this week.
Flavell said: “She’s seen a physio and fortunately there was no concussion involved.
“I spoke to her on Saturday and she said she felt fine and she had been going to the gym. We will, of course, monitor her closely and manage her during the match.”
The coaching team have been tinkering with the back division in recent games but have reverted to a tried-and-tested line-up for Saturday.
They will be hoping to make full use of their experienced back row and powerful ball carriers in the pack.
Flavell is also hoping the squad can demonstrate the same resilience they have shown when having to dig in during tough spells in previous cup outings.
He has watched a video of the Selkies’ semi win.
“They seem to like to play it tight for a few phases with their big forwards coming round the corners and playing off the nine but they also have pretty decent centres in a pacy back line,” Flavell said.
The Krakens have been delighted in the interest shown in the game, with a supporters’ bus going down on Saturday. The squad are travelling the day before and spending the night in Perth.
Flavell said: “There’s a really good feel to the squad. Everybody is really excited and buzzing – it’s just a case of trying to keep them grounded.”
Uddingston started up several years ago, with this being their first season in the regional leagues.
They teamed up with Lenzie at the start of this season in which they finished fourth of six in West Region League 2.
Selkies coach Graham Chalmers said: “We started off with just three players but we now have over 30 involved. We were competitive in the league and we have improved with every game we played in the cup.
“I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made and we’re under no pressure on Saturday. I’ve told them just to go out and enjoy the day.
“Both sides are coming up against something of an unknown quantity but we’re in no doubt we’re going to be in for a tough task.”
Saturday’s finals day causes a dilemma for Caithness girls’ and women’s under 18-coach Sinclair Dunnett.
The National Plate kicks off at 4.30pm, the same time as the women’s first-tier cup match between Hillhead Jordanhill and Watsonians at the neighbouring Murrayfield Stadium.
His scrum-half daughter Hannah, who last year played for Scottish under-18s, will be in action for HJ.
