Highland shine but fall short at Canal Park against Melrose
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DAVE Carson admits Highland’s promotion dream is over after narrow defeat in a mesmerising Canal Park contest against Melrose on Saturday.
The 36-30 beating came despite arguably Highland’s best display of the season so far, and the best National League One match the head coach has witnessed.
There was disappointment, but plenty of pride and optimism after another marker as to just how far Carson’s squad has come.
“We’re obviously disappointed with the result, but really pleased with the performance,” Carson said.
“It was a hell of a game between two fantastic sides willing to run the ball and just play great rugby. We just came up a little bit short, but if we can keep up that level of performance, we’ll be okay.
“If I’m honest, promotion is out of the window now.
“We’ll still go out to win every game we play and try to finish as high up the league as possible. We’re not throwing any towels in here.
“It is just a really top quality league we’re in and some of the games are fantastic, which shows in the crowds we’re getting down at Canal Park now.
“The rugby is really good to watch.
“We’ll keep working away and improving the way our players play the game.”
Highland opened with a well-worked try from full-back Rhuaridh McDonald, converted by stand-off Scott Fraser, only to concede an unconverted try soon after.
Another converted try from scrum half Hugo Crush drew another scoring response from the Greenyards outfit, but Fraser kicked a penalty and winger Craig Findlater ran in a defence-splitting try to give his side a 22-17 lead, only to surrender it again with another converted try before the break.
A poorer start to the second half saw Melrose push 36-22 ahead, but Highland fought back with a Fraser penalty and a Grant Jamieson try that sealed a losers’ bonus point for being within seven points of their opponents’ total.
“It was a great match and I’m really proud of the guys,” Carson said.
“Melrose are a really good side and a couple of players made the difference for them.
“Their number seven, a Canadian boy Mitch Richardson who plays pro-rugby back home and is just over for six months. Their number 13, Douglas Crawford, is also a class act.”
