REDS WIN SCOTTISH TITLE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1997

Caledonia Reds edged a tense tussle against the South at Braidholm in Glasgow to clinch the Scottish Inter-district Rugby Championship 32-30.

There was high drama during the last five minutes when Reds fell behind for the first time in more than an hour to a Craig Dodds penalty, then regained the lead through a Glen Faulds penalty, and then faced the prospect of losing it again when referee David Young awarded another kickable penalty to the South deep into injury time.

But Dodds was off target with his late shot at glory, prompting wild celebrations among the Reds squad and their large travelling support.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said Reds head coach Colin Sturgeon.

“We were under the cosh for long periods of that game, struggled to get possession, especially from scrum, and defended heroically, so to come away with the win is fantastic. The lads have worked really hard and got their reward.”

The Reds points came from tries scored by Highland full-back Adriu Muritoki, Stirling County flanker Callum Macpherson, Glasgow Hawks stand-off Liam Brims and Falkirk scrumhalf Harry Russell. Brims kicked three conversions and a penalty before Faulds stepped up to slot that final, decisive score.

The Inter-district Championship was resurrected this season after 21 years in hibernation to provide representative playing opportunities for Scottish club players.

The only other time the Reds have lifted the title outright was in 1997, while they shared the championship with Glasgow in 1975.

Caledonia Reds: A Muritoki (Highland); J Mccaig (Currie Chieftains), M Wallace (Edinburgh Accies), D Innes (Currie Chieftains), R Rokoduguni (Highland); L Brims (Glasgow Hawks), H Russell© (Falkirk); S Murray (Highland), F Allan (Howe of Fife), G Brough (Gala) S Yarrow (Falkirk), S Blair© (Highland), C Macpherson (Stirling County), S Cardosi (Dundee Rugby), O Baird (Glasgow Hawks). Substitutes: A Falconer (GHA), A Hain (Dundee Rugby), J Ramsay (Currie Chieftains), J Brough (Stirling County), G Gregor (Highland), J Imrie (Stirling County), G Faulds (Falkirk), S Ross (Highland).