Highland claim vital victory
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
HIGHLAND gave themselves a lifeline in their bid to avoid relegation from Caledonia Regional League Division One with a spirited 18-10 victory over St Andrews University at Canal Park.
The Greens still find themselves at the bottom of the table, but are now level on the 27-point mark alongside Mackie Academy FP with Ellon and Hillfoots both three and four points in front in eighth and seventh respectively.
Highland were able to utilise a strong squad for this encounter with Jamie Strachan at prop making a big difference in the scrums, as did the deployment of Epi Vukicea and Craig Findlater out wide.
Indeed, it was Findlater who went over for the opening try to give the home side a 5-0 lead and this was soon built upon when Craig Little added a second try following good work by Ewan Watson.
With Findlater kicking over the conversion, Highland led 12-0, an advantage they maintained until the interval, despite putting further pressure on St Andrews.
The hosts were in a strong position to pick up a much-needed victory going into the second half, but an interception allowed the visitors to reduce that deficit to five points.
A penalty shortly after soon had Highland feeling the heat at 12-10, but they maintained their composure as the students threatened a comeback.
Craig Irvine’s penalty for the home side moved them 15-10 in front in the latter stages, before a scrappy passage of play saw Little this time convert another penalty.
Leading 18-10, Highland held out, despite a rather unsavoury incident towards the end of the game where Gareth High was twice shown a red card for reacting to a St Andrews player not allowing a quick line-out throw-in.
The expectation is that Highland will at least miss the rest of the season, although of more importance for the Greens was the victory which starts off a run of what will be four home games to finish the season on a positive note in terms of the result.
Highland face a much tougher prospect at Canal Park on Saturday where runaway leaders Aberdeenshire are the visitors, but at least they have some hope in their battle to beat the drop.
Meanwhile, Highland’s under-18s travelled to Caithness for a friendly in order to keep up their match fitness for the Champions League.
This was a chance for all the squad to get some game time and it proved a beneficial workout as they came away impressive 70-5 winners.
Ross Martin scored a hat-trick of tries for Highland, while Jordan Thomson and Jack Sutherland both managed two apiece. Other try scorers were Steven Rutledge, Rory Grant, James Murray, Lawrie Revel and Ben Gordon. Rory Carson kicked three conversions and Scott Fraser managed two.
Highland’s under-16s produced a stirring comeback to win 27-24 against Musselburgh at Canal Park on Sunday to reach the final of the National Youth League Bowl competition where they await the winners of the other semi-final between Ayr and Mackie Academy FP, which takes place on Sunday.
The city club’s under-14s were also in action as they travelled to take part in a tournament at Stirling County. They won their match against Currie 7-6, but the efforts of that match told next time out as the hosts beat them 21-0.
