Highland flying again after finally returning to action
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The Canal Park side had been without a game since December 5 due to numerous postponements but from the start they clearly had too much for the Moray club.
The good weather set the stage for the home side and they did not disappoint, quickly resuming their pre-Christmas form.
The Greens refused to give the visitors a chance in the first half racking up a 43-0 lead. The seven tries scored came from Craig Findlater, Stuart Watson, Rory Cross, David Titterington, Nathan McLaughlan and two from Paddy Bryden. Four were converted by stand-off Ruaridh MacDonald.
In the second half Highland remained just as determined, scoring another five tries through Morris Dillon, Andrew Findlater, a second by Watson, while Bryden and Titterington completed their hat-tricks.
This was just the game that coach Dave Carson would have wanted to get the season restarted with the impact of Highland’s Andy Begg fitness sessions on display.
With no serious injuries and only a couple of minor knocks at the weekend, Highland will be travelling with their strongest side on Saturday to contest the final of the BT Caledonia Shield against Glenrothes.
This result has moved Highland into second place and although they are 11 points behind league leaders Gordonians, they have a wealth of points available with four games in hand to overtake them.
There was more good news from Canal Park on Saturday as the second XV completed a hard fought 33-12 victory over Aberdeen University.
It was hard going for Highland from the kick-off as they battled against the wind and some rusty game play. They struggled to maintain control on the game and were perhaps lucky to be leading 12-7 due to tries from Richard Sim and Rhodri Lucas.
After the interval the home side improved with better decision making and tackling, which saw them stay on top of a university side that never gave up and always threatened.
The two tries that sealed the win and secured the bonus point came from Dougie Darling and Ed James.
This moves them into second place in the league and they are six points behind league leaders Banff but with two games in hand, they too can overhaul the leaders.
Two of Highland’s junior squads were in cup action over the weekend with mixed results.
On Saturday the under-18s visited Currie and had a heartbreaking result, going down narrowly 18-17.
The following day, however, there was better news as the under-16s claimed the scalp of border club Biggar, putting in a gritty display to win 15-7.
