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Senior Teams & U18 boys results 15/16 Feb

It was a tough weekend for our Senior Men’s, Women’s, and U18 Boys teams – with only the Highland Eagles U18 Boys coming away with a win.

Men’s 1XV :  National League Division 1

Stirling County 79-7 Highland

Highland set off on Saturday morning with a much changed squad as a result of injuries and unavailability. The job was going to be tough but the aim was to take something from the game.  Anything would help to ease the situation in the relegation battle at the bottom of National League Division 1.  

Unfortunately that aim was made difficult as soon as the first minute when Stirling ran in their first try. It was dashed completely  as early as the 20th minute by which time Stirling had secured their 4th try and with it a try bonus point. 

Stirling were ruthless with any turn-over ball. They thrived on Highlands handling errors, and spilled balls. Their defensive line speed didn’t give Highland any breathing space, and the pressure forced more errors which they ran back for scores.

Highlands solitary score was a penalty try. 

The forwards, competed admirably and stayed in the fight. Calum MacPherson and Niall Doherty carried well and did make ground. Cal Mac winning the Coaches vote as Highland’s man of the match.  

It’s just wasn’t our backs day unfortunately nothing went right – and the more desperate the situation became the harder we tried to pull off something special. It didn’t work out well.

We also picked up a few more injuries. Something else to deal with before next weeks clash against Dundee. 

In theory Highland still have a route to National League Division 1 survival – but it’s no longer in our hands as we will need results to go our way. 

Taking five points from next weeks game is now essential to give Highland the chance to save their Nat 1 status in the last league game of the season against Peebles at Canal Park on 1st March.

2XV : Caledonia North League Division 1

North Police Scotland 49-33 Highland 2XV

The 2XV lost several players to the 1XV to replace those unavailable through injury or unavailability. There was added drama as both teams waited to depart on Saturday – resulting in Ruaridh MacDonald swapping buses to head for Stirling instead of Aberdeen. This removed one of the Raptors most experienced players from their squad, forcing another rejig at the last minute.

Unfortunately I can’t offer any insight to the game other than to suggest that with a total of 82 points scored it must have been pretty free flowing.

U18 Boys : Saltire Energy Caledonia Youth Cup Competition

Highland Eagles U18 Boys 59 – 19 Deeside U18 Boys

U18 Boys : Saltire Energy Caledonia Youth Bowl Competition

Highland Falcons U18 Boys 5 – 20 Orkney U18 Boys

Highland RFC Women : National Shield (Women’s)
 
Highland RFC Women 24 – 29 Greenock Wanderers RFC Women
 
Our women’s team took to the field at Canal Park against Greenock Wanderers RFC Women. This is the first ever encounter between the two teams in this National Shield (Women’s) game
 
The game kicked off later than expected after the Greenock side had some travel difficulties.
 
The weather was good, and there was a cracking competition on the park.
 
There was a bit of to and fro in the early stages, Highland scoring unconverted tries through Holly Duncan and Elle Briggs. The Greenock side grew stronger  towards the end of the half resulting in a 24-10 half time lead lead.
 
Greenock extended their lead early in the second half with an unconverted try.
 
Highland stuck to their task, and applied pressure to the Greenock defenders, with some lengthy periods in attack without scoring. This included the try that never was when Highland broke off the back of a ruck towards, and over the try line.  Surely a try , but no, a superb cover tackle by Greenock’s standoff in the dead ball area  prevented the touch down by pulling the Highland player into touch in goal before the ball could be grounded.
 
Highland pressed again and again growing in confidence as the game moved towards it’s conclusion.
 
A try from tighthead  prop Louise Mason which she ran in from her own half (converted by Lauren Parkes), was followed by a Highland 70m break from their own try line by Emily Sutherland, who did a great job in pushing the ball far enough back that the Greenock tacklers couldn’t get to the ball before Highland’s Morgan Redpath. Morgan’s huge effort to support Emily’s break paid off when she gathered the ball and ran in to score. Lauren Parkes added the conversion. Try bonus now in the pocket. 
 
This set up a thrilling end to the game – with Highland now looking to snatch what appeared to be an unlikely win. 
 
Highland pressed again, but unfortunately turned over possession. This  gave first the Greenock the scrum half and then the standoff the chance to show good game management to kick the ball deep into the Highland half with only a minute to go. They in turn knocked on. 
 
Highland had an attacking scrum and managed to get over the half way line before an error allowed referee George Whitecross to end the game.
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