Highland complete treble success
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HIGHLAND were crowned RBS Bowl champions following a commanding 26-12 victory over Glenrothes at Broadwood Stadium.
The city club put on a superb display in front of a large travelling support to complete the treble having previously captured by the Caledonia League Division Two North title and the North Bowl.
From kick-off Highland showed what they were capable of as they shoved Glenrothes backwards in the first scrum and then turned the ball over.
A chip forward saw Glenrothes stretched to bundle the ball into touch and from the lineout the ball was moved quickly.
A fast ball infield saw ground gained and after a couple of phases, the attack switched back to the right wing — the result being an overlap that was quickly exploited and Rory Cross delivered a perfectly timed pass to allow Darren MacLeod to sprint into the corner. A fine conversion by Scott Fraser and Highland were 7-0 up after just two minutes.
With the advantage in both the scrum and the lineouts, Highland were looking the superior side, even if they were unable to add to their early points tally.
First a Fraser penalty was just pulled left of the posts and then after a solid scrum in the midfield quick ball to the right set up an attack on the wing.
Richard Sim came into the line and although he drew his man, the tackle forced him to edge his pass forward and MacLeod was denied a second try after touching down.
However, Highland kept up the pressure and from a lineout a planned move saw Sinclair Patience blast through a gap to make good yardage. The resultant ruck, after some fine back row charges, saw quick release to the back line and with players to spare, Tam Magowan took the ball and touched down. With Fraser’s conversion, it made it 14-0.
The scoreline remained like that going into the second half where Highland were quickly into their stride once more.
Quick ball by scrum half Craig Little fed man of the match Cross, who took off down the blind side. He showed the ball to the covering tackler and gave a beautiful dummy to then race into space, going past another tackler and then popping the ball to Sim, who raced over to score.
Glenrothes frustrations were beginning to show as their stand off Stewart Hainey was sin-binned for tripping Sim as he crossed the line. Fraser narrowly missed the conversion and Highland led 19-0.
A man down, Glenrothes battled on grimly and even generated some momentum of their own. When Hainey returned, he led a charge towards the Highland line that eventually resulted in Cameron Goodall going over for a try that Shaun Gray converted.
Highland regrouped and made sure of the victory as a driving maul allowed James Taylor to score the try, with Fraser kicking the conversion, to re-establish their 19-point lead.
Glenrothes did manage a final try after Magowan was sin-binned for being offside and blocking release of the ball, Daryl Warrender powering over, but Gray pulled his conversion wide and it finished 26-12 to Highland after Dave Titterington had a try ruled out due to crossing as the ball went out wide.
The celebrations quickly began and continued long into the night as players, management, club officials and fans gathered for a reception at Canal Park.
After suffering relegation last season, this campaign has been in stark contrast for Highland, who will now look to complete their season next month still boasting a 100 per cent winning record.
HIGHLAND
