Derby day delight for Highland
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HIGHLAND burst into life with some impressive rugby to see them clear winners over Caithness in the north derby.
The hosts notched a 36-0 victory to earn them their first win of the new season and an ideal home opener.
From the kick-off the home side’s intent was clear as they instantly took the game to Caithness. Epi Vukicea was put clear and touched down with five minutes gone and although Craig Irvine just missed the home side were 5-0 in the lead.
With the pressure building on Caithness, number eight Stuart MacDonald drove over from a line-out to make it 10-0. Highland lost Richard Sim to a rib knock and Tam Magowan to a suspected broken wrist, Ruaridh MacDonald and Matt Allan coming in to replace them.
Approaching the break Stephen Murray went on a powerful drive and quick release of the ball saw Steven Rutledge go over and Irvine converted for a 17-0 lead at the break. There was however a setback with skipper Kevin Brown going off as a precaution with a shoulder injury.
In the second half Highland denied Caithness any chance to score. The back row, led by MacDonald, were simply everywhere recovering and securing ball. The next score came from James Taylor and with Irvine now finding his range the seven points made it 24-0. The strength of the home play saw plenty of attacking opportunities and this next had Ruairdh MacDonald fly over the line for a try again converted by Irvine for 31-0.
The game ended with David Titterington going over in the corner but Irvine missed the difficult conversion.
Coach Dave Carson was very pleased with the nature of the win and a bonus win point, yet he knows it is tinged with more injuries. Magowan may well be out for the rest of the season after a Sunday operation on his wrist while Sim’s rib injury will have to wait assessment, as will skipper Kevin Brown’s shoulder.
Earlier, Highland and Caithness second XV’s played a friendly match and the home side ran out 39-0 winners. Highland’s tries game from Mike Ashmole (three) and one each from Jamie Strachan, Jack Sutherland, Ryan McLaughlan and Callum Manson. The back line was well controlled by Morris Dillon at full-back while senior debutants Sutherland and Jamie Darwin played very well at centre and prop.
Highland’s under-18s have performed to a high level already this season and produced a magnificent display that saw them come away 24-14 winners against West of Scotland.
A Fionnlagh Call penalty opened the scoring after the home side were caught holding on and it was 0-3. West came back strongly and their strong running number eight went over followed by the conversion and it was 7-3. Call then squeezed over in the corner which he followed with a superb conversion kick to make it 7-10. Some soft penalties and good field position allowed West back with a try beside the posts. The easy conversion meant a 14-10 lead for West at the break.
At the restart Highland were able to step up a gear and turnover ball by Robert MacDowell allowed Ruari Casey through to touch down and Call made the difficult kick for Highland to be back in the lead 14-17.
The game was put out of West’s reach when Stephen Grant collected the ball in space and from a fine run went past two defenders to score.
