|
|
 |
| GARNOCK 71 - CAITHNESS 15 by Iain Grant |
| Fri 30th Mar 2007 |
The end of the National League Division 2 season cannot come quickly enough for a travel-weary Greens.
With the odds already stacked against them through injuries and absences, they suffered two further setbacks shortly after arriving to make their first appearance on the Lochshore pitch at Glengarnock.
George Sutherland’s withdrawal after he pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up was followed within five minutes of the first whistle by a neck injury which enforced the premature exit of hooker Anson Macauslan.
It all contributed to a horror show for Caithness who conceded a record number of points in any match they have played in eight seasons of National League rugby.
Their previous worst mauling was a 69-7 reverse in Ellon in November 1999.
Garnock had plenty of incentive on Saturday as they knew victory would clinch promotion along with leaders Falkirk to NLD1.
They quickly showed their intent to play an expansive game and within three minutes had crossed for the first of their 11 tries.
A neat backs move saw Gareth McCrorie set free for a clear run to the posts.
Further touchdowns by Andy King, Jamie Holmes and Fraser Thomson had the bonus point safely bagged.
Thirty-eight ahead at the break, they kept the foot to the floor as they exploited
yawning gaps in the defence of the visitors.
The Greens’ organisation and resistance has been a feature of their campaign
but the wholesale changes in personnel regularly left them vulnerable and exposed.
McCrorie went on to score two more with others coming from Paul McCrorie, Stuart White, Jamie Holmes, John Lyons and Ally Anderson with Chris Neill
and Kurt Jacobsen converting four each.
Caithness grabbed two second half tries through Duncan Sangster, with Graham Fryer adding a conversion and a penalty.
Coach Colin Sangster, who was unable to make the trip, knew his troops faced a tough assignment but was stunned to discover the margin of their reverse.
"It was always going to be a struggle but we ended up travelling with a really weak side after four late call-offs.
"The catalogue of disasters continued when George got hurt in the warm-up and then Anson had to come after five minutes.
"We then had used up two replacements and were really up against it."
Caithness allowed their heads to go down after conceding a couple of soft scores and thereafter it was a case of damage limitation.
"I don’t think the guys fronted up and they allowed Garnock to take control," said the coach.
Tomorrow will be another searching examination for the Greens when they make their third long trek on the spin, to face Annan.
Sangster said: "It looks like we’re going to be worse off this weekend.
"It’s a case of getting the right attitude of those travelling and making sure they give 100 per cent."
The extension in the season, through four more fixtures than in recent campaigns, is particularly bad news for Caithness as they have a large number from the farming fraternity who are sidelined by lambing and calving commitments.
Caithness - J. Paterson, J. Sinclair, S. Campbell, D. Sangster, K. Gove ,
G. Fryer, K. Hamilton, S. Dunnett, A. MacAuslan, J. Foubister (cpt), A. Morris, J. Hamilton, G. Anderson, E. Sutherland, G. Anderson. Replacements (both used) - J. MacMillan and J. MacDonald.
|
| Back to News |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Stewartry |
1 |
5 |
| Berwick |
1 |
5 |
| Newton Stewart |
1 |
5 |
| Caithness |
1 |
5 |
| Waysiders Drumpellier |
1 |
4 |
| Highland |
1 |
4 |
| Alan Glens |
1 |
1 |
| Aberdeenshire |
1 |
1 |
| Hawick YM |
1 |
1 |
| Glasgow Accies |
1 |
0 |
| Kilmarnock |
1 |
0 |
| Annan |
1 |
0 |
|
 |
| 1st XV Season (2009/10) |
| Kilmarnock 81 - 5 Caithness |
| 17th Apr 10 - KO: 12:00 |
| Venue: Bellsland |
| :: Match Report |
 |
| 1st XV Season (2010/11) |
| Caithness vs Kilmarnock |
| 4th Sep 10 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Millbank |
| :: More Fixtures |
|
