Greens start season with a win
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HIGHLAND’S first-team made the start to the season they wanted with a deserved victory over Gordonians at Canal Park.
The Greens also collected a bonus point in a win that went some way to avenge the three defeats they suffered at the hands of Gordonians last season.
The last time these two sides faced each other in March, Highland were on the end of a 98-22 thrashing, but with virtually a full strength squad, there was a renewed confidence that better could be achieved this time around.
Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, Highland looked to keep Gordonians pinned back.
The impressive Setarkei Roaba, who has filled the gap left by Ross Thompson leaving, scored the opening try with a pick up from the base or the scrum before scoring under the posts to leave Andrew Hill with the simplest of conversions.
Gordonians, however, scored a try when their scrum half sneaked over in the corner for a short range effort to reduce the deficit to 7-5.
Back came Highland and Ryan McLauchlan managed to evade a few tackles to go over with Ruaridh MacDonald, who came on to replace the injured Hill, adding the conversion.
The hosts were rampant and a penalty from MacDonald stretched their lead to 17-5, before David Ramsey got himself on the scoresheet with Highland’s third try. MacDonald was again on the mark with the kick to make the score 24-8.
Gareth High was sin binned for the Greens, but they managed to see out the remainder of the half with 14-men to hold a healthy advantage at the interval.
Gordonians had the benefit of the wind and did cause Highland problems, but a staunch defensive performance managed to keep the home side’s noses in front.
Victory for the Greens and an all important bonus point was eventually made secure late on when Raoba set up Kenny Cameron to score to complete a 29-18 triumph.
Meanwhile, Highland’s second team — the Reds — also got a bonus point win with a solid 27-14 victory over RAF Lossiemouth at Canal Park in their opening match of the Caledonia Regional League Division Two North campaign.
With a good number of backs available, this gave the Reds the attacking edge over the RAF side, who only travelled with one replacement.
The added bulk of Barry McKelvie, Simon Stephen and Andrew Shaw coming in later on made it too tough for the visitors to come back from. The Reds five tries came courtesy of Laurie Cuthbertson with two, Jamie ‘BJ’ Cameron, Moliase Bainivulo and Viliame Sinu.
Highland’s under-18s built on their fine start to the season with a fairly comfortable 32-17 triumph over Moray at Canal Park.
The youngsters led 27-0 at the interval, but Moray made more of a game of it in the second half, scoring three tries.
Callum Carson and Jack Sutherland scored two tries apiece, while James Murray and Rory Grant also went over. Scott Fraser kicked a conversion.
The under-16s also made a solid beginning to their season, defeating Moray 29-0.
