Highland not helped by player shortage
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HIGHLAND paid the price for the lack of commitment by its players as a patched up squad went down heavily to Ellon at the Meadows.
It was always going to be tough for the Greens under the circumstances, but it got worse as the only replacement was used after 15 minutes with Euan Watson going off injured.
A badly depleted Highland did put in a plenty of effort and in patches played well, yet they were severely handicapped by missing tackles, which allowed an average Ellon side to run in easy tries that made them look a lot better than they were.
The visitors only consolation on what was a difficult day came courtesy of a try from Kevin Brown.
This is Highland’s second consecutive away defeat, but while it is a blow to their promotion hopes, the season is still early enough to enable them to make up lost ground.
In order to so, however, they will need more commitment from their players in both the Greens and Reds squads after a total of 36 players made themselves unavailable at the weekend.
The further down side to this episode was that Highland’s second team had to pull out of their trip to Banff, which may result in them acquiring penalty points for missing the fixture even though it will still be played later on in the campaign.
Meanwhile, Highland’s under-18s managed to hastily arrange a friendly against a Mackie Academy-Aberdeen Wanderers combined side.
Thanks in no small part to a Jack Sutherland hat-trick, Highland ran out winners 43-38 winners in a game where defences were very much on the backfoot.
The teams traded four tries apiece in an entertaining first-half to leave it level at 28-28 when the whistle sounded for the interval.
With five minutes left on the clock, it was all level again at 38-38 when a terrific burst by Sutherland looked to have taken him on to score the winning try only for an equally impressive tackle to hold him a metre from the line. On hand to collect the offload, however, was Steven Rutledge, who dived over for the winning score.
Overall, it was entertaining game where some of Highland’s younger squad members were handed a starting place and acquitted themselves well.
The under-18s return to league action on Saturday with a home game against Deeside.
Highland’s under-15s emerged convincing 43-7 winners in their rearranged match against Gordonstoun last week.
Tries came from George Evans, Harry Mackay, Tom Bannerman, Jake Mills, Fergus McKenzie with two by Aidan Kent. Cameron Grant converted two tries, while Jake Mills also kicked two in this comprehensive triumph.
