Highland state title credentials in one-sided victory
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The home squad had a physical side yet Highland’s fitness made the game a one-sided affair. The visitors built up a 21-0 lead by half-time and the coaching staff looked at the match being over as a contest.
In the second-half they kept up the same pressure play with only a single lapse letting Carnoustie score. Seven different scorers touched down — Scott Fraser, Stuart MacDonald, Rory Cross, Andrew Findlater, Steven Rutledge, Tam Magowan and Nathan McLaughlan, with five conversions from Fraser.
Coaches Alister Wemyss and Chris Brogan were pleased to see McLaughlan pick up a late score after his outstanding work over the 80 minutes, making him the man of the match. Morris Dillon also stood out in the back-line, his vocal control always prominent.
Stuart Watson made a return after injury, with the only sour note being indiscipline that saw Magowan and Callum Carson being yellow-carded which reduced Highland to 13 men for a short period.
With Gordonians surprise mauling of Glenrothes, this leaves just the Aberdeen side and Highland as the only unbeaten outfits. Highland are now well set for a change of competition on Saturday as they travel to play Harris Academy FP in the BT Caledonia Shield.
Highland’s second XV started their league season with a hard fought 17-14 victory over title favourites Gordonians second XV through in BT Caledonia League Division Three North. The strength in depth of the senior playing pool stood the second XV well as they had some very experienced players make up their number, with tries from James Murray, Laurie Cuthbertson and Seamus Ross.
Highland’s heroics on the road did not stop there for the under-18s put in a solid performance to defeat Boroughmuir 23-0. The visitors had a firm grip on the match and saw two tries from Magnus Henry and one from Aidan Kent. There was also two penalties and a conversion from Ben Rennie.
The President’s Conference matches continued on Sunday and Highland’s under-16s recorded their third win from three, defeating Boroughmuir 38-0. The other junior sides did not fare so well, the under-15s going down 43-0 while at Canal Park the under-14s and 13s lost 40-7 and 14-4.
