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| CAITHNESS 10 - 12 HIGHLAND by Iain Grant |
| Fri 21st Dec 2007 |
Caithness were short-changed with the losing bonus point they secured from their last league fixture of 2007. That the return was no consolation was reflected in the disappointment etched on their faces as they trooped off after this razor-edge defeat.
It was a match which the Greens could and should have won on the general run of play on a fine winter’s afternoon at Millbank.
Highland clung on to clinch a double over their north rivals though this proved a mirror opposite to their earlier 56-13 romp in Inverness. Then, they ran in eight tries in a match in which Caithness virtually capitulated after a bright opening 20 minutes.
On Saturday, Highland were under the cosh for long periods with their victory owing largely to a defence which displayed discipline and guts in equal measure.
It was breached just once when Blair McIntosh’s dashing solo effort put the Greens 10-6 ahead just before the interval. It was to prove the only try of the day with the outcome ultimately settled by the boot of the visitors’ newly restored full-back Paul Schofield.
Saturday’s result leaves Caithness in eighth spot, still needing to harvest a couple of more wins to once and for all exorcise the spectre of relegation.
Highland got the worst of starts with a sclaffed kick-off handing their opponents the early initiative. The Greens however exchanged the early Christmas present when a midfield move misfired and they conceded a penalty for crossing. Schofield accepted the opportunity to fire the visitors into a second minute lead.
The Greens quickly wiped out that advantage when a powerful surge from Evan Sutherland ended with Highland penalised from the ensuing ruck near the posts. McIntosh did the needful.
As the match settled down, continuity play was at a premium for both sides though Caithness were displaying the greater attacking threat.
Centres Norman Foubister and William Mill both carried well while the Greens’ back row were winning more than their fair share of the 50/50 scraps for possession. Their cause was not helped by three successive line-out misfires though steals by Andy Morris and Ewan Boyd were later to more than even the score.
Highland’s first serious foray into the opposition 22 after 16 minutes gave them the chance to reclaim the lead when the Greens’ midfield strayed offside. Schofield made no mistake from almost bang in front of the posts.
The Greens had to regroup after 24 minutes when Mill went off with a head cut. The reshuffle involved McIntosh taking over at centre; Kris Gove reverting to full-back and Jamie ‘Pigeon’ Sinclair coming on to play left wing.
McIntosh was quickly to the fore in his new role, triggering a promising attack on the half-hour mark which took play within five metres of the Highland line. The move broke down but Kris Hamilton swept up the loose ball and his follow-up snipe needed a full-on tackle to prevent him scoring.
The only try four minutes later was created and scored by McIntosh. He put on the burners after exploiting an undefended channel towards the left touchline before chipping Schofield and beating the cover to go over for his third touchdown of the campaign. He added the extras to put Caithness 10-6 up.
McIntosh soon after had the chance to extend the lead after Highland offended following Halde Pottinger’s tap-and-go from a free-kick. McIntosh sent the penalty just wide of the left upright.
The last action of the half proved cruicial in turning the game the visitors’ way. Sutherland’s tackle on former Wick High colleague Jonathan Wyllie was certainly late and deserved the penalty, which Schofield converted. But the contact on the fly-half was not dangerous and did not seem to merit the yellow card flourished by ref Andy Moss.
Whether or not the man deficit was responsible, the opening 10 minutes of the second period was the one spell which Highland clearly dominated.
Wyllie and centre Euan Ferguson were the main pivots in a long-range 46th minute counter which almost went all the way. That was the start of a prolonged siege in which the Greens conceded a string of penalties as they battled to keep their line intact.
It almost came as a relief when they were able to escape their 22 when Schofield kicked a 49th minute to put his side 12-10 ahead.
Highland were soon on defensive duties when a misfield from the restart kick ended with a sparky kick-and-chase by Stevie Campbell. A resultant series of phases yielded a penalty in kickable range. McIntosh’s shot rebounded off the junction of the bar and the right post.
The Greens had visions of three points converting into seven with winger Danny Gordon’s follow-up field and charge towards the line. A copybook tackle levelled him just short and Hamilton’s follow-on attempt was similarly repelled.
The concession of a penalty relieved the pressure and a Tam MacGowan break soon had play switched to the other end. Schofield then missed his only shot at goal.
After 65 minutes, Highland found themselves short-handed when lock Findlay MacRae was sin-binned for a crude body-check on Hamilton as he chased his own kick-ahead. The penalty should have been where the ball landed on the visiting 22 but it was awarded four or five metres further back. It was at the limit of McIntosh’s range and he failed to reach the posts.
Caithness finished the game on top with Foubister hauled back by a fingertip hold on his shirt as he threatened to break free and Campbell also featuring with a dangerous breenge.
Two close-in scrums gave hope late on but they were unable to penetrate a resolute defence and a Green fumble confirmed their fate.
Home coach Jim MacMillan was left to reflect on a deeply disappointing reverse. He said: “It was a game we could have won but just too many of our guys didn’t perform on the day. “Highland didn’t create much – they didn’t offer a great deal in attack but their defence was very good. “We also didn’t create enough but I thought we could have scored more than one try.”
The coach was less than impressed by the refereeing, believing his side did not get the rub of the green. “I thought he was a bit harsh on us,” said MacMillan. “I would have to question two of the penalties from which they kicked points and Evan’s sin-binning was pretty tough. “The ref also seemed to let them regularly kill the ball at the breakdown.”
MacMillan believes the fitness levels of his troops are not all that they could be. He is hoping they will put in some work over the festive period so they are in good shape for the next league match – the vital home encounter with Grangemouth on January 4.
Before that, the Greens play the Students /Exiles in the annual Sinclair Cadzow Memorial Match at Millbank on December 29.
Caithness – B. McIntosh, K. Gove, B. McIntosh, N. Foubister, D. Gordon, G. Mackay, K. Hamilton, H. Pottinger, S. Campbell, R. Pottinger, E. Boyd (cpt), G. Anderson, D. Pottinger, A. Morris, E. Sutherland, Replacements – S. Dunnett and J. Sinclair (both used). H. Coghill (unused).
Highland – P. Schofield, G. Milton, T. MacGowan, E. Ferguson, C. Little, J. Wyllie, P. Boyar, G. Fraser, I. MacLean, J. Strachan, P. Miller, F. MacRae, M. Thomson, S. MacKenzie, A. Beattie. Replacements – S. Groat, S. Stephen and G. Morrison (all used).
Referee -- Mr A. Moss, RAF.
* Unpredictable Newton Stewart pulled off the result of NLD2 on Saturday with their 16-10 eclipse of promotion-chasing Dumfries.
Main beneficiaries were Forrester whose 21-10 home victory over Kilmarnock allowed them to leapfrog the Ayrshiremen into third. It leaves the Edinburgh outfit five points between Dumfries with two games in hand.
Howe of Fife continued their relentless push towards the title with a runaway 42-14 win over Glasgow Accies in Cupar.
With Allan Glens going down 32-5 in Linlithgow, the only side below the Greens to win were Stewartry who won 15-12 at Grangemouh. It was Grangemouth’s seventh loss in a row and a win in Thurso is vital for them to kickstart their fight against a second successive demotion.
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