Triple glory for Highland as teams complete clean sweep
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IT might have been a tough time for the national side but Highland had a weekend of success with all three sides winning rescheduled fixtures.
On Saturday the first XV made the trip to Caithness. In a hard-fought game they continued their unbeaten form to win 41-6.
The stop-start nature of recent fixtures was always going to be a potential problem for the squad in maintaining their push for the league title – and so it proved.
As the match kicked-off Highland struggled to put their usual game together. The home side are always formidable in Thurso and they put Highland under some pressure, perhaps sensing their difficulties.
But slowly Highland pulled themselves into the game and by half-time they led 12-6 thanks to tries by Andrew Findlater and Tam Magowan, and one conversion from Morris Dillon.
Caithness converted two penalties and had the visiting coaches concerned that the game was not in the bag.
However, any worries they might have had were forgotten as Highland gained in stature to completely dominate the match.
The visitors ran in another five tries, two from Oscar Baird, a second from Findlater and one each for Dillon and Richard Sim, with Dillon slotting two conversions.
It was just the sort of game Highland needed, to be pushed hard and get them used to playing a tough game in readiness for the Shield final next Saturday.
Coach Alisdair Wemyss, standing in for Dave Carson, was pleased with the performance and nominated Paddy Bryden as man of the match for being “simply everywhere”, thwarting Caithness attacks.
The only bad news for Highland is the loss of Rory Cross to injury. It looks as though he will be out for some time with a fractured cheekbone.
It is a blow for Highland and especially Cross, who was man of the match in Highland’s last trophy final and will not have the opportunity to repeat the feat. Back at Canal Park, Highland’s second XV took on Aberdeen University Medics with a lot at stake.
Highland were keen to increase their lead at the top of the league, but were also aware that the game would be tough.
But pre-match concerns were dispelled as Highland ran out impressive 94-7 winners to go nine points clear and massively boost their points difference.
This win will put a lot of pressure on those sides looking to challenge for the title.
The third success of the weekend for Highland came from the under-18s, who made the long trip to Orkney to play a combined Orkney
The far north side might have been weaker than planned, yet Highland were far too hot to handle.
The visitors made good use of their President’s Conference experience to win convincingly 82-5.
Back in Inverness at the Bught Park, Inverness Craig Dunain put in a good performance but fell short, going down 31-21 to Aberdeen University.
