Never giving up means Highland won't let me down ahead of final - Dave Carson
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DAVE Carson hopes the character shown by his side over the last month stands them in good stead for the National Shield final.
Highland have come from behind in games against Gordonians on Saturday and in the semi-finals against North Berwick, keeping their long unbeaten run intact.
A 14-0 half-time deficit against fellow BT Caledonia League Division One title challengers Gordonians was eradicated and the Greens led 20-17 with minutes to go. A late penalty cost them the win but the priority was keeping their unbeaten streak going. Their focus will now switch to the showdown with Carrick at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.
Carson, who rested Morris Dillon, Tam Magowan and Craig Findlater, alongside losing Stuart MacDonald, Grant Jamieson and Tom Brogan having to drop out, was happy with the resilience shown by the patched-up side.
"The boys got a tough game before the final and didn’t lose, which is excellent," he said. "We rested a few with knocks and the ones that came in did well. We weren’t aggressive enough in the first half and kept letting them in behind.
"But in this game and the semi-final they’ve shown they can be down and still come back and get a result. They never give up and that always stands us in good stead."
Highland’s changed line-up started well but it was in attack that they struggled to turn pressure into points, with lots of spilled balls letting the home side off the hook. In return Gordonians were not so careless and they were eventually able to run in two unconverted tries to reach the half-time 14-0 in the lead.
Carson saw his side come back into the game with far more pace and determination and this time the pressure they exerted in the opposition half saw them come away with two penalties converted by Craig Irvine. Rory Cross came on and he was far more direct in the centre and this resulted in an unconverted try for his efforts and 14-11.
The home side were now having a more difficult time getting to the Highland line and could only respond with a penalty. Highland, on the other hand, were now forcing more errors out of Gordonians in their half and this lead to more penalty attempts for Irvine, who kicked three for Highland to go into the lead 20-17. Highland now had to play it simple and retain the ball but a mistake in a clearance was charged down and the scrambled covering resulted in a Gordonians penalty, which they converted.
The result means that Gordonians finish their campaign on top with 73 points with Highland trailing on seventy-one points and with three games in hand. Glenrothes can challenge but they can only get a maximum of 74 points from their remaining matches, leaving Highland needing four points with a win over Carnoustie HSFP in two weeks at Canal Park securing the league title.
Murrayfield now becomes the main focus for next Saturday and a full squad with every player back in for selection and only Tam Magowan’s knee is a cause for concern. Supporters have already purchased over 200 tickets for Murrayfield with half travelling on the club buses. Anyone wanting to get tickets as well as travel on the buses need to contact the club as soon as possible.
Also in Aberdeen the 2nd XV took on North Scotland Police in an important league encounter. Looking to keep the pressure on fellow title challengers Banff, they came away with an impressive 65-12 victory. Highland ran in 10 tries with three each from Ed James and man-of-the-match Callum Anderson, with one apiece from skipper Simon Stephen, Callum McIntosh, Robbie Rapson and Phil Haworth.
The result now puts Highland seven points clear of Banff who did not play. If Highland can win both of their remaining two matches with at least one bonus point then the title is secured
