Highland's relegation finally confirmed
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HIGHLAND’S end of season league position and relegation fate were finally confirmed over the weekend.
In the last remaining fixture of the season, Orkney comfortably defeated bottom of the table Hillfoots 55-24, which means the Greens will finish ninth in Caledonia Regional League Division One.
As a result, Highland and Hillfoots will both be demoted, while eighth placed Ellon face a two game play-off to secure their status.
There was some good news for Highland, however, when they enjoyed a 28-10 victory over Ross Sutherland in the annual Jack Henderson Trophy match at the Naval Ground in Invergordon.
The city club simply had too much power upfront with the return of Kevin Dowdles and John Wallace to the squad, as well as the scoring ability they possessed out wide.
Tries came from Richard Sim, David Ramsey and a first senior score for Laurie Cuthbertson, with two conversions and two penalties from Craig Little making it 25-3 at the interval.
In the second half, it became all a little bit scrappy, particularly in the scrums where they went through a lot of resets.
With the play slowed down, the only other scores came courtesy of another penalty from Little and a converted try from the home side.
On Saturday, there was some over-35s action at Canal Park as the Highland Bald Eagles took on the Moray Malters.
This contest turned out to be a far closer affair than the last time the two side’s met in Elgin, the match eventually declared a 46-46 draw.
It was played in the usual good humour and is a welcome warm-up for both sides in preparation for the Scottish Golden Oldies Tournament, which takes place in Inverness on Saturday 1st June.
Highland’s Tuesday touch rugby sessions are well attended and more are expected as the club hopes to enter two sides into the competition.
Meanwhile, Highland’s under-16s are all set for their trip to Murrayfield on today for an early evening kick-off (6pm) against Ayr in the National Bowl final.
The squad’s form has steadily improved over the season and they will be keen to prove themselves against what is big name opposition.
THE countdown is well under way for Saturday’s annual Highland 7’s event, which will take place at Canal Park.
Although it will still be a busy day with 13 teams confirmed as taking part, the original large line-up has been decimated by so many sides still playing rescheduled league fixtures.
