Pre-game preparations not ideal for Greens
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
HIGHLAND’S preparations for Saturday’s trip to Hillfoots were thrown into chaos, resulting in the Greens succumbing to their first defeat of the New Caledonia Regional League Division One season.
Late call-offs and a protracted journey to Tillicoultry for the match both conspired to ensure Highland went down to a 28-18 loss.
Director of rugby Hugh Mackintosh was forced to make the trip with a squad of just 16 players after several players had to withdraw.
The journey itself was also drawn out and meant that most of the squad arrived too late to even do a proper warm-up.
Playing on a heavy pitch, Highland began sluggishly and soon suffered a blow as a groin injury meant an early departure for full-back Andy Hill.
A reshuffle in personnel for the visitors led to some back row forwards being moved into different positions and as a result, the Greens reached the interval 18-3 down, the only consolation a penalty by Ruaridh MacDonald.
Despite being reduced to just 13 players for most of the second 40 minutes, Highland battled on manfully in trying circumstances.
Two unconverted tries moved Hillfoots 28-3 in front, but the visitors rallied in the last quarter and were able to restore some respectability to the final scoreline.
Both David Ramsay and Ryan McLaughlan scored tries and Highland were even pushing for a third to try and secure a bonus point when the final whistle sounded.
The overriding feeling for Mackintosh, however, will be one of frustration as a Highland side at full strength could very well have earned a victory over Hillfoots.
A quickfire return to winning ways will be the objective ahead of Saturday’s visit of Mackie Academy FP to Canal Park, although Gareth High, Hill and Ramsay are all out through injury, while McLaughlan might be a doubt.
Meanwhile, Highland’s under-18s maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a solid 39-10 win over Orkney at Canal Park.
Conor Taylor went over to put the hosts 5-0 in front, before John Clark’s try, converted by Theo Threadgould, made it 12-0.
Orkney came back strongly, however, and after a series of drives, they crashed over for a converted try for 12-7.
The match continued to be hotly contested, but Highland’s game continued to give them the edge and they collected another unconverted try, this time from Ali Brown, for a 17-7 advantage at half-time.
The early part of the second half was all Orkney as they renewed their efforts, but the home defence held firm, the concession of a penalty the only setback endured during this period.
After weathering the storm, Highland came back strongly and ran in four tries — Mike Ashmole, Roddy MacKenzie, Scott Fraser and Threadgould all going over to ensure the victory.
