Aberdeen Grammar meet Highland at Bridgehaugh

The venue is expected to see both sets of fans turn out in force to support their respective sides, who battle it out to see who will be returning north with this year’s trophy.

Highland will be hoping to overturn the challenge in the National League Cup Final against a team who play in a division above them.

After a successful full league programme, Head Coach Davie Carson is anticipating a strong charge from his troops. He said “We’re expecting a very physical battle up front, against a team from a division above us. They have a very strong scrum and some fast running backs.

“It would put the icing on the cake for us at the end of a fantastic season having gained back-to-back promotions to National 1.”

Both sides registered solid victories over their quarter final opponents, with Grammar defeating Falkirk and Highland easing past Preston Lodge.

The semi-final stages saw a couple of tightly fought ties, Highland defeating Musselburgh 30-28 and Aberdeen Grammar overcoming the challenge from Kelso 13- 34.

Prior to the final, both clubs’ second XV will meet at Stirling as Highland look to clinch the Tennent’s Caledonia North 2 title and start what the Canal Park side hope will be a memorable day for the club.

Aberdeen Grammar Head Coach Alasdair O’Connor commented,” Preparations are going well. Injuries that have plagued us all season seem to be going away and we are looking forward to putting out a very strong squad for the final.

“There is a clear sense of excitement building in the playing squads for the first and second XV double header against Highland.

“They are a quality team. We found that out last year in the cup. They have a formidable back division with a great set of forwards, so we know we are up for a battle. They play a fast-paced exciting game and we will have to be at our best to match them on Saturday.

“We targeted the cup from the start of the year and will be taking a great support base to the final. Our fans have been outstanding this season, home and away and our aim is to put in a performance that the whole club can be proud of and take the cup home to Aberdeen.

Teams

Highland: Rupeni Rokoduguni; Rob Eatough, Rory Cross, Seumas Ross, Steven Rutledge; Rory Carson, Ruaridh MacDonald; Lewis Sinclair, Kevin Brown, Murdo Paterson, Sean Blair Oscar Baird, Callum Carson, Gordon Gregor, Calum MacPherson.

Substitutes: Jonny Milton, Nathan McLaughlan, Ben Gordon, Iain Chisholm, Connor Ross, Jese Nawacalevu, Stuart Watson.

Aberdeen Grammar: Bryn Perrott; Nathaniel Coe, Murray Mitchell, Tom Alpin, Douglas Russell; Sam Knudson (CAPTAIN), Tommy Morrison; Satthias Schosser, Andrew Cook, Calum Reddish, Robin Cessford, Ewan Stewart, Alec Dravitski, Christopher Jollands, Greig Ryan.

Substitutes: Ross Anderson, Ben Inglis, Jordan Robertson, Will Alton, Sean Mills.