Second XV triumph provides boost for Highland in quiet week
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Coach James Hay was pleased by the display, with the back row performance being especially impressive.
Highland ran in six tries through Rhodri Lucas, Craig Little, Seamus Ross, Gaz Zoltanstoll and two from Callum Anderson.
It was no surprise that the man of the match came from the back row, with Scott MacKenzie picking up the accolade.
Highland are now top by four points and in a good position, but there is still a long way to go with half the fixtures still to play.
Highland’s first team coach Dave Carson is impressed with the quality of players in both sides.
“If you’re not training twice a week, you haven’t a hope of getting into the first or second team,” he said.
“The second team are performing great. They’re really pushing all the first team players because they’re all trying to get up to the first team.
“You’ve really got to fight for your place in either squad now, because we are getting about 40 guys at training each time.”
This weekend the Six Nations Championship gets under way and senior competitions have a fixture break, apart from the odd rescheduled game.
That means that Highland’s fixtures have been pushed back even more and they will be playing well into May.
With a series of posponements, late call-offs and the weather causing havoc, Highland have had a turbulent season so far but this has done little to affect their form.
Carson is disappointed in how far behind Highland are with their fixtures. “We knew there would be cancellations in January and February with the weather, but we had a lot of cancellations earlier on in the season as well,” he said.
“It’s just been one of these seasons unfortunately and it’s really disappointing at this level to be so far behind.”
As for the junior squads it is very much business as usual. On Saturday the under-18s have planned a second attempt at travelling to Orkney for their Caledonia Cup game.
A near full-strength squad will make the very early start, as long as weather conditions do not worsen again.
The big game of the weekend is on Sunday as the under-16s have home advantage against Hawick Albion in their National Cup semi-final.
This is a massive game for the youngsters and as Highland’s in-form junior squad, there is a lot of confidence that they can handle their second Borders side on the trot. The game has a 2pm kick-off and a big home support is expected.
“It’s a big game for the under-16s – they have a chance to make it through to the final and play at Murrayfield,” Carson said.
“They’ve played great so far and hopefully they’ll be able to give Hawick a good game this weekend.”
Also on Sunday Highland’s under-14s and under-13s travel to Edinburgh to play Currie in a pair of friendly matches. Earlier on at Canal Park the Minis and Micros have their 11am training sessions.
