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| NO CELEBRATIONS FOR GREENS by Iain Grant |
| Fri 17th Apr 2009 |
Caithness 12 - 36 Linlithgow
Millbank was the scene of a second victory celebration on Saturday though the Greens again missed out on the knees-up.
Linlithgow’s win secured their promotion from Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division 2 along with Whitecraigs whose win in Thurso last month clinched the title.
In their final match of the campaign, the Greens never seriously threatened to act as party poopers though they did manage to make a contest of it.
They also had the stand-out player of the day in scrum-half Kris Hamilton whose all-action display featured a marvellous solo try.
Caithness have fielded no fewer than 49 players in the current campaign with coach Jim MacMillan regularly frustrated by an inability to pick the same back division two games running.
Once again, number eight Evan Sutherland -- the only ever-present this season – played at inside centre and Wick teenage lock Craig MacLeod started on the right wing.
Caithness also had only one replacement, continuing a trend which has seldom seen them muster an 18-man squad.
A dreadful start by the Greens, punctuated by a round of aimless kicks, resulted in them falling behind after three minutes. Visting scrum-half Mikey Walker made the vital break which enabled prop Duncan MacLeod to plough over from close in. Skipper Matt Dixon landed the conversion and soon afterwards added a penalty.
The Greens shook off their collective stupor to mount a couple of enterprising raids. One, sparked by Stevie Campbell was sustained by Hamilton whose would-be scoring pass as he was felled near the line was scooped up by Linlithgow winger Andy Birrell.
The promise was delivered on 10 minutes when home fly-half Norman Foubister’s snaffled a stray pass to create the space for Campbell to run in from the 22. Mackay added the extras
Shortly afterwards, Matt Dixon narrowly failed to stretch his side’s lead when his wind-assisted monster penalty shot from his own 10 metre line cannoned back off the left upright.
The west Lothian side returned to the attack and Mark Green’s diagonal line-break looked to have set him on clear run to the line. Hamilton materialised from seemingly nowhere to execute a textbook tackle on the centre within a metre of the try-line.
Linlithgow however recycled and two phases later, flanker Euan Richardson broke clear to score near the posts to make Matt Dixon’s conversion a formality.
The Greens were under pressure in the scrums and at times struggling to cope with the route-one approach of the muscular visiting pack.
After Mackay missed a penalty, Linlithgow effectively closed out the game with two tries – one converted - before the interval.
Blindside Andrew Archer went over after a series of forward rumbles before right winger Stuart Cunningham forged a way over near the right corner-flag for the bonus point try.
Sutherland and Campbell each looked set to reduce the leeway after being sent clear either side of the turnaround only for play to be recalled on both occasions for marginal forward passes.
Linlithgow were roused from their cruise mode with a spanking try on 59 minutes by Hamilton who led a trail of pursers on a merry dance on a weaving run from inside his own half.
The visitors completed the scoring nine minutes from time when Cunningham intruded into a midfield move for a score under the posts which Matt Dixon converted.
Afterwards, MacMillan conceded the end score was affair refelction of how the match had gone.
“It wasn’t a great game”, he reflected. “They were pretty disappointing as they were largely one-dimensional and I though their forwards took it on too many times instead of putting the ball wide. Our overall fitness levels were not good enough though skills-wise, I thought we were every bit as good as them.”
He hailed Hamilton’s performance while also picking out Campbell, Sutherland, Foubister and flanker Grant Anderson.
He said the Greens will have to work hard to build on the seventh place position they achieved in the league.
Two holes will have to be filled with long-serving duo, skipper Ewan Boyd and prop Donald Buchanan, having decided to call it a day.
MacMillan said: “More guys are going to have to step up to the mark. I think that with the players we have, a bit more overall commitment could see us pushing for promotion.
“Otherwise, we could end up going down as there’s a real fine line between seventh and relegation.”
MacMillan revealed that he plans to give up as coach.
Tomorrow, the Greens are fielding a side in the Banff Sevens.
Caithness – G. Mackay, C. MacLeod, E. Sutherland, G. Macleod, S. Foubister, N. Foubister, K. Hamilton, D. Buchanan, B. More, C. Smith, E. Boyd (cpt), H. Coghill, G. Swanson, G. Anderson, S. Campbell. Replacement (used) – S. Dunnet. Unused – J. MacMillan.
Linlithgow – M. Dixon (cpt), S. Cunningham, C. Bredin, M. Green, A. Birrell, M. Dixon, M. Walker, D. Macleod, K. Hope, E. Gunn, S. Jamieson, S. Bell, A. Archer, C. Gillanders, E. Richardson. Replacements (all used) – J. Cavana, N. Cowan and D. Goudie.
Referee – Mr W. Murray.
*Greenock Wanderers leapfrogged the Greens into sixth following their 23-10 home win over Highland.
Hawick YM finished their campaign with a 28-12 win in Stewartry while relegated Hillfoots scored a defiant 10-0 win at home to Kilmarnock.
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| 1st XV Season (2010/11) |
| Caithness 25 - 27 Kilmarnock |
| 4th Sep 10 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Millbank |
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| 1st XV Season (2010/11) |
| Stewartry vs Caithness |
| 11th Sep 10 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Greenlaw |
| :: More Fixtures |
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