|
|
 |
| GREENS SUFFER HEAVIEST LEAGUE DEFEAT AT HOME by iain Grant |
| Fri 29th Jan 2010 |
The return to action for the Greens after the weather-prolonged mid-winter break provided them with a rude re-awakening.
Many in their ranks appeared to be still in hibernation mode as their Midlothian visitors coasted to victory without needing to show their A game.
With their fourth try having pocketed the bonus point before the half-time huddle, they could afford to drop down a gear or two.
Two tries in the death throes of the match condemned Caithness to their heaviest National League defeat at Millbank.
The Greens’ faithful had reasons to be fearful ahead of Saturday’s clash versus their promotion-chasing opponents.
The previous NLD2 fixture was lost 46-12 while Lasswade’s last league outing saw them inflict the only defeat to date incurred by league leaders Greenock Wanderers.
Already without the squad’s two regular scrum-halves, concern about a general lack of pace in the pack was exacerbated by open-side Stevie Campbell’s enforced withdraw within minutes of the kick-off.
After running back a kick, he suffered a knock to the rib-cage which was subsequently diagnosed as sprung cartilage.
Lasswade favour a fast-paced, off-loading game with ex-South African pro Bernie Hennessey – normally a centre – pulling the strings from fly-half.
They were allowed the freedom to roam by a home side who missed too many first-up tackles and regularly creaked when the opposing pack applied their power play.
The danger signs were evident early on with their strapping right wing Gavin Sharpe demonstrating his menace with a powerful run down his touchline.
The opening score after 11 minutes was made all too easy for centre James Elliot as he brushed aside four powder-puff tackles on a jinking run to the line.
Number eight Gavin Brown landed the first of his four successful conversions of the afternoon.
Caithness had the chance to respond when flanker Craig Quigley was fingered for not binding at a scrum.
Young fly-half Liam Brims dragged his penalty attempt wide but atoned shortly with a follow-up awarded after the visitors infringed at a ruck.
Any hopes of this sparking a genuine contest were misplaced as the Greens leaking three tries in a 10 minute spell before the turnaround.
An attack down the wide right channel was swiftly rerouted across the park with an overlap exploited to allow left winger Niall Gray to touch down.
A retreating opposition scrum then gave the Lasswade three-quarters the time and space to work a slick move which climaxed with Elliot putting Sharpe in.
A drive from a five-yard line-out got an early head of steam and relentlessly trundled towards the line where Brown touched down.
Caithness were not impotent in attack though chances for their wide-out runners were at a premium.
Blair McIntosh and Norman Foubister cut some fine running lines and links-up in midfield and James Sinclair had a couple of storming runs.
But the Greens were forced to play second fiddle for most of the match through uncharacteristic failings in defence and regularly coming out second in the scrap for possession after the tackle.
Within two minutes of the second half, Lasswade loosehead Craig Adam was celebrating after being propelled over the line in a reprise of Brown’s try.
A scintillating break from their own 22 would have created another try had Gray’s would-be scoring pass not being somewhat harshly adjudged forward.
The game died a death until coming to life in the last two minutes following Lasswade scrum half’s Murray Soutar’s return from a 10 minute stint in the sin-bin for tackling young winger Mark Anderson in the air.
The visitors took advantage of a Greens side running on empty as they capped a gala day with two further tries.
Sinclair’s try-saving tackle proved in vain as the ball was quickly recycled to give full-back Russell Gladstone a clean run-in.
An interception provided Sharpe’s second at the death to drive the final nail in the Greens’ coffin.
Final score: Caithness 3 Lasswade 41.
Caithness – G. Mackay, M. Anderson, N. Foubister, B. McIntosh, J. Sinclair, L. Brims, G. Macleod, T. Sutherland, H. Coghill, S. Dunnett, A. Morris (cpt), J. Miller, S. McIntosh, E. Sutherland, S Campbell. Replacements (all used) – B. More, R. Gray and P. Nicholson.
Lasswade – R. Gladstone, G. Sharpe, J. Elliot, K. Smith, N. Gray, B. Hennessey, M. Soutar, C. Adam, D. Turnbull, D. Robertson, B. McGregor, D. Hearn (cpt), C. Quigley, G. Brown, R. Borthwick. Replacements – S. Montgomery, A. Elliot and M. Billingham.
Ref – Mr F. Anderson, Elgin.
|
| Back to News |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Hawick YM |
2 |
10 |
| Kilmarnock |
2 |
9 |
| Waysiders Drumpellier |
2 |
9 |
| Glasgow Accies |
2 |
7 |
| Berwick |
2 |
6 |
| Annan |
2 |
5 |
| Highland |
2 |
5 |
| Aberdeenshire |
2 |
4 |
| Stewartry |
2 |
4 |
| Caithness |
2 |
3 |
| Newton Stewart |
2 |
1 |
| Alan Glens |
2 |
0 |
|
 |
| 1st XV Season (2010/11) |
| Caithness 25 - 27 Kilmarnock |
| 4th Sep 10 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Millbank |
 |
| 1st XV Season (2010/11) |
| Stewartry vs Caithness |
| 11th Sep 10 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Greenlaw |
| :: More Fixtures |
|
