Double blow for Highland sides
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HIGHLAND suffered a double blow over the weekend as its top sides both endured league defeats.
The 1st XV travelled to Orkney and went down 33-8 to a very well organised island side, while the under-18s lost 41-17 at home to Ayr.
Coach Dave Carson was disappointed with the result but he was upbeat about how his young side have stepped up to play at a higher level after promotion and, with as many as 10 regulars missing from last season’s side, it was always going to be a tough act to follow.
Highland started the game well and Darren MacLeod went over for a try and a 5-0 lead. Craig Irvine added three points from a penalty but there was to be no further Highland scoring as Orkney pulled into a 12-8 half-time lead.
The visitors had to put a lot of effort into staying in the game and this consequently meant few scoring chances. Something was bound to give and with 15 minutes to go Highland’s play became fractured. Orkney were now bearing down hard and they scored a well-deserved converted try for 19-8.
Orkney were now well in charge and, although there some fine solo play from a couple of Highland players including Gareth High and Eamon Guinan, the visitors were struggling. It was late on when Orkney scored another pair of converted tries and so secured the bonus point and a 33-8 victory.
Highland now have three weeks off due to the Autumn Internationals and a cup weekend.
The under-18s took on last season’s champions Ayr and were tied 5-5 in the first half after a Fionnlagh Call try. However, two scores from Ayr put them 17-5 ahead at the break. The champions scored first in the second period but Stephen Grant responded for Highland. However, Ayr hit back immediately with a converted try for 29-10.
The Canal Park side leaked another converted try for Ayr but Iain Crush got between the posts for a converted try to make the score 36-17. An unconverted try for Ayr took the score to 41-17.
