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| LINLITHGOW 36 - 7 CAITHNESS by Iain Grant |
| Fri 24th Oct 2008 |
Not so long ago, rugby games were settled solely on the honest toil of the starting XVs.
Even when replacements were grudgingly accepted by the rule-makers, they could only be deployed in the event of a debilitating injury or the spilling of blood.
It is only in the last 12 years with the onset of the professional era in Scotland that squads have become an integral part of the game.
Pro sides deploy seven subs while Scottish Hydro Electric National League coaches can use on a rota basis three in league games and four in cup-ties.
On Saturday, Caithness again started at a major disadvantage on their travels when they again had no back-up for the 15 who took the field.
The lack of cover was magnified given the emergency call-ups given to assistant coach Dougie Wright, at full-back, and Wick schoolboy Yeager Coghill, on the wing.
The problems in fulfilling away assignments were also highlighted by the fielding of two city-based Greens in number eight Andrew Sangster and centre Stuart Grant.
The latter and the versatile Gary Mackay forged the sixth different centre partnership in the Greens’ seventh outing of the campaign.
Opponents, Linlithgow went into Saturday’s game on a high after inflicting a first defeat on NLD2 leaders Whitecraigs the previous week.
Caithness had won their previous two matches and were determined to make up for the 64-10 hiding inflicted on their last visit to Mains Park.
On Saturday, Linlithgow found it much harder going to pierce a resolute defence while the Greens also enjoyed good spells with the ball in hand.
Coach Jim MacMillan was impressed by the grit they showed when five tries and 36-0 down in a defiant late push, lit up by a scintillating try.
Caithness had weathered early pressure with the first try resulting from a breakdown in their three-quarter line.
Linlithgow took full advantage as flanker Andrew Archer dashed downfield before giving the scoring pass to lock Charlie Gillanders.
The Caithness cause was not helped by a malfunctioning line-out with David Pottinger struggling to pick out his jumpers.
The scrap for possession after tackles was intense between two well-matched and ultra-competitive back rows.
Home stand-off Tim Meadows was one of the day’s top performers and he created the gap for centre Graham McKenzie to breeze through for the second try.
The contest was still very much alive until Linlithgow bagged a third touchdown just before the interval through number eight Ross Martin.
Caithness, playing with the wind on their backs, enjoyed their fair share of possession after the interval.
But the lack of a bench meant no respite for their hard-working pack and the front row, in particular, were struggling to live with the game’s high tempo.
Martin claimed his second try of the afternoon after breaking down the narrow-side from a scrum pick-up.
Their scoring was completed after Meadows supported a line break from his half-break colleague Mikey Walker and McKenzie provided the finish.
Full-back Matt Dixon’s conversion boosted his haul from the boot to 11 points and his team’s lead to 36-0.
The Greens refused to roll over and a feisty last quarter-of-an-hour was rewarded with a cracking try.
After spurning a kickable penalty, stand-off Kris Hamilton’s mesmeric run wrongfooted a string of would-be tacklers before he offloaded to
allow veteran Wright to touch down under the posts.
Mackay converted the score which lifted the spirits for the long trip home.
Greens coach Jim MacMillan gave credit to opponents who played an expansive style of rugby.
“They are a decent side who liked to throw the ball about,” he said.
“That said, if we had been able to take them on up front, we could have got somewhere.
“It was always going to be a big ask travelling down with a side which was quickly thrown together and which has not trained together.
“We also had no subs and several guys who have not been playing much rugby, so I thought it was a really decent performance against one of the teams that will be there or thereabouts in the promotion race.”
The coach was particularly impressed by the resilience of his troops in a very competitive second half.
Tomorrow, Glasgow Accies visit Millbank for a match which they need to win to force their way back into the promotion race.
Tipped before the season to mount a strong challenge, they have been dogged by inconsistency, with Saturday’s 32-11 home reverse to Whitecraigs their latest setback.
“It’s difficult to know what to make of their results,” said MacMillan.
“I thought they would be in the top three by this stage but they have had a few slip-ups.
“It’s difficult to know how they will travel but we will be going all out to preserve our unbeaten run at home.”
Caithness have problems in the front row with Donald Buchanan heading off to watch an American Football match at Wembley.
With John Foubister struggling with a hamstring strain, MacMillan is hoping Halde Pottinger will be fit after being sidelined by an early season shoulder injury.
Stevie Campbell is available while Danny Gordon is fit again and could partner William Mill or Norman Foubister in the midfield.
The game at Millbank kicks off at 2 p.m.
Linlithgow – M. Dixon (cpt.), S. Cunningham, G. White, G. McKenzie, A. Birrell, T. Meadows, M. Walker, B. Edment, K. Hope, E. Gunn, S. Jamieson, C. Gillanders, A. Archer, E. Richardson, R. Martin. Replacements (all used) – B. Taylor, N. Cowan and A. McGowan.
Caithness – D. Wright, K. Gove, G. Mackay, S. Grant, Y. Coghill, G. Fryer, K. Hamilton, J. Foubister, S. Dunnett, D. Buchanan, E. Boyd (cpt), G. Anderson, D. Pottinger, A. Sangster, E. Sutherland.
Ref – Mr M. Goodman.
* League leaders Hawick YM extended their unbroken run of narrow wins with a three penalties-to-two 9-6 win away to Greenock Wanderers.
Kilmarnock lost further ground on the top three when they were held to a 8-8 draw versus Forrester in Edinburgh.
Highland’s recent revival continued when the Inverness men scored a fine 12-3 win in Tillicoutry over Hillfoots.
Bottom side Newton Stewart gained little solace from their second point of the season – a losing bonus point gained from their 19-18 reverse at the hands of local rivals Stewartry.
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| 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 |
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