Dave Carson hails Highland's long-serving heroes for securing promotion
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TRIUMPHANT head coach Dave Carson dedicated Highland’s title win to the long-serving players who have pulled the club out of the mire.
An emphatic 91-5 scoreline against Carnoustie on Saturday confirmed Highland’s promotion to National League Three as champions and Carson, who returned to the club in 2013, was quick to heap praise on the stalwarts who ensured the first XV would survive.
For the first time in more than 15 years, the Inverness side will ply their trade in the National set-up after winning the league with two games to spare. Contrast that with four years ago, where Highland were struggling to scrape together a team to travel to away games, let alone have enough players to run a successful second side.
Those that have stuck with the greens will have revelled in Saturday’s joy even more, with Carson paying tribute to their efforts in propelling the club back towards the national game.
“You can see how much it means to the guys here. Kevin Brown was here four years ago when they couldn’t get a side on a Friday night and he’s stuck with it, so I’m glad for him,” said Carson. “Guys like Morris Dillon, Dave Titterington, Craig Findlater, who were here when it was really bad, this is what they deserve. They kept this club afloat when it was really dire.
“It is a bit emotional. It’s a long season with a lot of work. It’s not just Tuesday and Thursdays at training, there’s work going on all the time. You forget that this is amateur sport. At times you think about what you’re doing here and then having to earn a living as well, you’re putting hours and hours in. But
we’re delighted.
“It was a very quiet week of training. Even before the game we were a little bit down but we had a chat in the changing room and said ‘this is what you’ve worked for’. Those horrible nights through the winter. They were absolutely brilliant.”
Highland now have a week off before their last two games, a double-header against Hillfoots which has no bearing on the league with their opponents already relegated. The focus will now be on getting the second XV promoted and having a double title presentation at Canal Park on May 7.
The second XV took a big step towards their own league title with a handsome 61-22 win over Aberdeen University Medics. Despite going 17-0 down early, Highland came back superbly to run in 10 tries.
A hat-trick for Harrison Wright, two apiece for Rhodri Lucas and Callum McIntosh with one each by James Murray, Ruaridh Casey and Calum Anderson were added to by six conversions from Craig Little.
It maintains their edge over challengers Banff and leaves their destiny in their own hands as they have Fraserburgh at home in two weeks. A win and the title is theirs.
The tight title race was not upset by the other match in Inverness as despite a fairly close contest Banff defeated Inverness Craig Dunain 29-10.
On Sunday it was Caledonia Junior Finals Day in St Andrews with three Highland sides looking to take home some silverware. The under-18s had a good go at Stirling County but went down 25-13 in the Cup Final.
The under-16s pulled off an impressive win with half their squad missing due to injury and defeated Perthshire 44-29 to take home the Bowl. The under-15s could not quite match the under-16s going down to Perthshire.
Highland’s touring junior sides had a good weekend. The under-12 squad, participating in the London Irish International Rugby Festival, lifted the age group Shield.
The under-14s in Belfast had a good game against a mixed Dungannon and Ulster side losing the first-half, but playing strongly after the break to win the second. On Sunday they ran out 71-3 winners over Malone.
Highland 91, Carnoustie 5
HIGHLAND celebrated their return to the National League setup in style with a 91-5 hammering of lowly Carnoustie.
Dave Carson’s side ran in 15 tries – six of them shared between Findlater brothers Andrew and Craig – as they clinched the Caledonia Division One title.
The result never looked in doubt and Carnoustie were always guests at Highland’s party, offering little resistance to the green juggernaut as Highland joined St Boswells and Glasgow Accies in National League Three, in securing promotion.
It is the first time the Canal Park club have played at that level for nearly 20 years and they will follow in the footsteps of Orkney, who made the journey from Division One last season.
The game was effectively over in the first 20 minutes as Highland ran in three tries, Andrew Findlater scoring the first pair and Craig Irvine adding a third, with Irvine kicking all the conversions.
Morris Dillon and Oscar Baird both crossed the tryline after that, Irvine succeeding with his kicks again, before Craig Findlater got in on the act prior to the break with a brace that put Highland 47-0 in front.
The question at the break was how many tries Highland could rack up in the second half, after Carnoustie had been flattened by the first half onslaught.
A superb effort from Andrew Findlater, carrying four visiting players towards the tryline, set up the next Highland try as prop Stephen Murray smashed over.
Andrew Findlater completed his hat-trick eight minutes later with a break from a scrum and Richard Sim got his name on the scoresheet moments later, with Irvine failing to convert all three second-half tries.
Grant Jamieson went over after more good work by Andrew Findlater to take the score to 67-0, but Iain Reid managed to get some points for Carnoustie, eradicating any hope of a shut-out.
Jamieson scored again after being set up by Irvine and substitute Stewart MacDonald further rubbed salt in Carnoustie wounds with a score of his own.
Craig Findlater got his third score minutes before the end and Dave Titterington, covering for Tam Magowan at centre after he was moved to scrum-half, completed the rout with the final try of the game.
