Highland slip closer to relegation trap door
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ANY chance Highland had of avoiding relegation would seem forlorn following a narrow 19-15 loss to Caithness in their penultimate fixture of the Caledonia Regional League Division One season.
After seeing their unbeaten record in the league at Canal Park this campaign ended by champions Aberdeenshire the previous weekend, the Greens knew they had to glean something form their match against the league’s second place team.
The wet and blustery conditions that greeted both side’s were far from ideal as Highland set about trying to contain the Caithness pack with much gusto.
It was a tactic that had the desired effect with the hosts able to force their opponents into some staunch tackling for much of the first quarter given the strong pressure they were under.
Unfortunately for Highland, they were unable to build any real momentum early on with Caithness able to dominate in the lineout.
But the home side were nothing if not game as they worked hard to stop Caithness, and they even looked to have gone in front as Anare Rabonu went over only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass.
Highland were then awarded two penalties and despite missing the first one, Craig Little converted at the second time of asking to put the Greens 3-0 in front.
Caithness had been on the backfoot for much of the first half, but they began winning plenty of ball at the breakdowns, allowing their experienced back row to go on the attack.
A penalty for the visitors levelled the scores, before a high tackle by Raoba Satereki resulted in him being sin-binned as the interval approached.
Opting for the scrum rather than the penalty, Caithness used their numerical advantage to good effect, scoring the opening try, which was converted, to put them into a 10-3 lead at the break.
Highland attempted to rally in the second half, but despite tries by Andy Beattie and Epi Vukicea, along with a conversion from Little, three penalties from Caithness were enough to see the visitors clinch victory.
The Greens gain a loss bonus point, but it seems it could be too little, too late.
Other results in the league did not quite going Highland’s way, yet they can still give themselves a chance to escape relegation, albeit a slim one, if they beat Ellon in two weeks time at Canal Park.
Meanwhile, Highland’s under-18s continued their impressive form with a 33-10 win over Kirkcaldy in the Caledonia Under-18 Champions League.
First half tries by Rory Grant, Jack Sutherland and Callum Carson, as well as two conversions from Scott Fraser, put them into a commanding 19-0 lead.
Kirkcaldy rallied for a spell and managed an unconverted try of their own, but Highland finished the half strongly with Tom Brogan going over and Fraser kicking the conversion to make it 26-5 at the break.
The second half was a far scrappier affair as conditions deteriorated. However, Stuart Watson managed a try with Rory Carson converting to ensure a fine victory
The under-15s were scheduled to play Huntly, but they could not raise a team for this game, meaning Highland received a walkover.
