The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
HIGHLAND UNDAUNTED
Carson hails‘ very special win’ as flu bug leads to wholesale changes for visit of Borough muir
Highland roared back to winning ways with a 38-20 home win against Boroughmuir to the delight of Dave Carson.
The Highland head coach had been less than happy the previous week when they lost by two points to Watsonians but the Canal Park men made amends in superb style on Saturday.
He said: “The result was never in doubt once we crashed into an early lead through Steven Murray, and with us in great place-kicking form, we were vastly superior in every department of play.
“We are always difficult to beat at home.
“But this was a very special win, given that we had a flu bug raging through the club this week, meaning wholesale changes in the team.
“The replacements who came in were all outstanding.
“Hopefully the worst of it is past, and we can start planning for our Scottish Cup game here at Canal Park against Stirling Wolves on Saturday.”
Having raced into an early lead, Highland allowed the Edinburgh side back into the game through an unconverted try and penalty.
The Boroughmuir lead was short lived, as the Inverness side surged back with two more touchdowns, attributed to Gregor Gordon and Rhuaridh MacDonald, both converted by stand-off Scott Fraser, giving them a 21-8 lead at half time.
Highland then assured themselves a try bonus point with two second half tries, one of which was added to by Fraser who also kicked a penalty and the other by his replacement Brian Irvine.
The Meggatland side rallied to take their total to 20, but at 38-20 down were never seriously in the hunt against a confident Highland side.
The second-half home try scorers were Grant Jamieson and Liam Quinn.
Meanwhile, Caithness remain in the relegation area of National League 3 after sliding to a 48-17 defeat to Lasswade, their fifth defeat in six starts.
They are one point above Carrick, and only three points adrift of West of Scotland.
President George Sinclair said: “We had a badly under-strength side who battled back from 19-3 down at half time to close within two points of the Lasswade. At only 19-17 down early in the second half, we looked to be in with a chance, only for the power of the visitors to kick in.”
Caithness took the lead through Shane Campbell but it was the Midlothian side who ran the first half, scoring three tries, two of which were converted.
The Millbank side hit back with tries from Jack MacLeod and Kevin Budge, both of which were converted by the excellent Campbell but Lasswade powered back with five touchdowns of their own.
Earlier in the week, the club parted company with head coach George Sutherland who played in the game but came off injured only seconds into the match.