Highland thump Stornoway in Canal Park closer
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A THUMPING victory rounded off Highland’s competitive season at Canal Park as they ran up 104 points on visitors Stornoway.
Dave Carson’s side broke the 100-point barrier for the second week running on the day they were presented with the league and North Regional Bowl trophies.
From the kick-off the visitors knew exactly what they were up against and could not defend against Highland’s pace out wide. The first try came after just one minute as the forwards secured the ball in a scrum and it was quickly spun out wide for full-back Darren MacLeod, standing in for Richard Sim, to race in behind the posts.
Highland kept up a steady scoring rate and reached the interval leading 55-0. The hosts turned around to play into the wind and racked up another forty-nine points.
Stornoway put in a lot of effort and it was in the forwards where they had their best display of the day, especially at the beginning of the second-half. Yet the home side’s fitness meant the visitors gained no respite and were never likely to score.
The try scorers were Darren MacLeod, Craig Findlater and Craig Irvine with three each, two from Rory Cross and one each for Eamon Guinan, James Taylor, Tam Magowan, Paddy Bryden, Sinclair Patience, Craig Little and Callum Carson. Scott Fraser kicked five conversion in the first-half while Irvine took over the kicking duties in the second-half and kicking against the strong wind managed two, one which was cleverly curled in between the posts.
It was a good general run out especially for the back line and the break-away forwards yet it wasn’t quite the workout the coaches would have liked prior to the Bowl Final. This will be stressed at training during the week as the players prepare. The only bad news was an ankle injury to prop Johnny Milton and his injury will be assessed after its initial treatment by physio Carol Chinnick.
After the match the jubilant squad were presented with the RBS Caledonia League Division 2 North and RBS North Regional Bowl trophies by Mike Munro, the Scottish Rugby Council’s north regional representative.
The ejection of Bowl finalists St Boswells for fielding ineligible players in several key games throughout the season has also been confirmed, with Glenrothes now in the final pending an appeal by St Boswells.
This does not affect Highland and its preparations and the club are hoping for a good travelling support to make the trip to Broadwood for Finals’ Day. Details of tickets and a supporters’ bus are on the club’s web-site.
