Highland take honours from local clash
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HIGHLAND are still on track for an exciting end to the season as they secured a 21-16 victory over Caithness in a tense match in Thurso.
The Inverness side travelled with a settled side knowing that they had to match the other second-place contenders Gordonians at a venue that is always tough for visiting sides.
Highland started in confident fashion and the first quarter looked like a continuation of their intense play against Ellon the previous weekend.
The visitor’s pressure kept Caithness pegged back and stacked up plenty of scoring opportunities.
Ruaridh MacDonald was first on the scoreboard with a penalty which was followed up with a fine try from Sean Blair for an 8-0 lead. The fine overall play was maintained and more scoring opportunities came Highland’s way, MacDonald converting a second penalty after which the in-form Rory Cross touched down for a try. MacDonald converted and Highland were now 18-0 to the good.
This performance was not maintained, however, and Highland slacked off to allow Caithness edge back into the game. The home defence now held off Highland and just before half-time Caithness got their first score with an unconverted try.
Although restarting against the wind, Highland managed it well and looked like making some further scores. Yet Caithness were cranking up their game after some chances for the visitors were missed, they came back strongly.
Caithness notched two penalties to reduce the deficit to 18-11 and turned the tables on Highland, who were looking to add to their score, with a second try. A good attack saw a final pass intercepted by Caithness and it was run the entire length of the park to score, although the desperate chase saw full-back Steven Rutledge force the score into the corner and the difficult conversion was missed.
Things were now very tense and Highland needed to tie up possession. Highland kept Caithness well away from scoring and in turn saw a penalty converted by MacDonald to take the score to 21-16.
A good win satisfied coach Dave Carson and he can see that his squad are continuing to improve, as well as many individuals showing more of their best. He picked out Johnny Milton as man of the match and centre Cross is once again returning to fine form.
The squad have done all that has been asked of them so far in 2015 and it lines them up nicely for the two big games coming up.
Next Saturday Orkney go to Canal Park in a big match for both clubs. Orkney need the win to keep their hands on the top slot, while Highland need a win to keep challenging Gordonians for second place.
The interesting situation is that a win for the Inverness side might just open up the top spot as that all of Orkney’s remaining games are away from home.
