HIGHLAND RFC 1XV

DUNDEE RUGBY 15-43 HIGHLAND

The first 1xv got back on the road again this week, travelling to Mayfield to take on Dundee Rugby. 

Bottom placed Dundee had been relegated to National League Division 2, before Saturdays game. 

The Highland lads had yet another changed team – and travelled wondering what to expect from Dundee. Would we meet a team freed from the pressure of the battle against relegation, or a team shorn of confidence. 

The day started bright and sunny, but heavy rain showers were expected late in the game, and the pitch was slightly heavy as a result of the weather earlier in the week. 

In an unusual turn of events, Highland got out of the traps early, and scored a try through Niall Doherty after only 5 minutes. It’s been a rare thing that we score first through out the season. Scott Fraser missed the conversion from a tricky wide position into the wind.  

Highland had a sustained period of pressure following the score, but inaccuracy prevented us from capitalising on the opportunities created.

Unfortunately Highland suffered a double injury blow around the 15 & 20 minute mark  with first Calum MacPherson and  then Stephen Murray having to leave the field.  

This resulted in Svend Dale Pedersen coming on for MacPherson, and Patrick Ratumaisese coming on for Scuba Murray. This also meant that starting Tight-head Murdo Paterson and Loose-head Patrick would have to see out the remainder of the game without the benefit of rest spells. 

Dundee  worked their way back into the game. They had managed to breach the Highland defence but had actually dropped the ball over the try line when trying to drive over. However,  they did better when their backs got involved and scored a try wide left  which Highland will have thought they should have prevented.

Highland worked themselves back up the field. Hugo Crush broke from the back of a ruck on the Dundee 22 to outpace the cover defence to the try line, and Scott Fraser landed the conversion. 

Dundee came back again, and from my vantage point at the opposite end of the pitch it appeared from the referees signal that Dundee knocked on in goal to blow a 2nd try scoring opportunity. 

Again Highland worked their way up the pitch deep into the Dundee 22. A  series of pick and goes resulted in Niall Doherty making a determined effort to get over the try line, landing just short. There was a melee of bodies on the try line trying to secure the ball, the referee blew his whistle. I had thought it was because the ball was deemed unplayable and would have resulted in a scrum to Dundee. But no, apparently Owen McDonald had committed an act of burglary and got the ball over the line. This was only determined by the officials after a lengthy discussion. All very much to the confusion and annoyance of the Dundee players. Scott Fraser landed the conversion to make matters worse for the Dundee team. 

Half Time score Dundee 5-19 Highland.

Into the 2nd half, Highland again got out of the blocks quickly – with Seamus Ross getting on the scoresheet. Scott Fraser again landing the conversion. 

Shortly afterwards, Highland were awarded a penalty infront of the Dundee posts, Scott Fraser landed the kick to bring the score to 29-5. 

Despite the scoreline Dundee kept plugging away and bagged themselves 2 unconverted tries, which was getting the home crowd excited. The score was now 15-29. 

just 6 minutes later Seumus Ross rounded off some excellent play by Highland to round the last defender about 15 yards out from the try line to give himself an easy run in and make the conversion easier for Scott Fraser who duly obliged by landing the kick. Dundee 15-36 Highland.

There were a number of minor injuries to be dealt with, and some poor handling as a result of a spell of heavy rain that moved in from the west. A handling error deep in the Dundee 22m area, resulted in a scrum to Dundee about 5m from the try line, and 10m in from the right side line. 

Highland had held their own in the scrum all day, but as the game wore on the scrum gained ascendency, and were creating real problems for Dundee. This was about to bear fruit. 

The Highland pack totally demolished the Dundee scrum, and the ball was caught by the retreating feet and burst out the back of the Dundee scrum, evading their scrum half and crossing the try line. Hugo Crush was first to react and raced in to touch down for Highland’s 6th and final try. Scott Fraser landed his 5th Conversion of the day to complete the scoring. 

Full time score DUNDEE 15-43 Highland

Highland Scorers:

TRIES: Niall Doherty, Hugo Crush (2), Owen McDonald, Seumas Ross (2) 

CONVS: Scott Fraser (5)

PENS: Scott Fraser (1)

HIGHLAND RFC 2XV / 3XV

Unfortunately, having been down in Dundee, I can offer absolutely no insight into the narrow losses suffered by both the 2nd & 3rd XV’s. 

FULL TIME SCORES:

Highland RFC 2XV 36-42 Mackie RFC

Highland RFC 3XV 35-46 Stornoway RFC 

HIGHLAND RFC U18 BOYS EAGLES / FALCONS

Highland’s under 18 boy’s teams the Eagles and Falcons were both meant to be in action on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Eagles away game at Deeside in the Saltire Energy Caledonia Youth Cup was called off at the 11th hour due to an unplayable pitch.

The Falcons had an early, 11am,  KO  against Gordonstoun School in the Saltire Energy Caledonia Youth Bowl, going down by the score;

Hughland RFC Falcons 22-42 Gordonstoun