RUGBY - Highland secure bonus point in win over Watsonians
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Highland Rugby Club ran in six tries on their way to a 34–22 victory over Watsonians in National One last weekend – but it was far from easy at Canal Park.
A slow start from the hosts allowed Watsonians to go two tries up – with perhaps the saving grace being that both conversions were missed.
Craig Findlater then put Highland on the scoreboard.
A penalty try saw them go ahead for the first time, but only briefly as Watsonians ran the length of the pitch to touch down again, taking a 15–12 lead into the half time break.
That was when Highland really kicked into gear. Scores after the restart from Andrew Kelloch, Tomoci Waqanibau and a second of the afternoon for Findlater gave them a 29–15 lead.
Each team would score another try apiece, with Highland’s coming from Rupeni Rokoduguni, maintaining the margin of victory and sending the first team into a free weekend on a high note.
The result kept Highland’s first team in with an outside chance of breaking into National One’s top four before the end of the campaign, with Dave Carson’s men 10 points behind Gala.
Highland are also 10 points clear of Dundee with a game in hand, but could see that lead over their own chasing pack cut this week when Biggar travel to Gala.
Further down the Scottish Rugby club pyramid, Highland’s third team was involved in the wipe out of fixtures in the top half of Caledonia North Three thanks to the freezing conditions around the country.
Similarly, Inverness Craig Dunain’s men’s match against Turriff in the bottom half of the Caley Three was postponed.
Highland’s Raptors, Craig Dunain’s women and Highland’s women were all due to have the weekend off regardless, possibly for the best with the number of call-offs. Both ICD teams and Highland’s third team are due to return to action this weekend.
