Caithness rue failure to make full use of gale advantage

Caithness were left to rue not taking advantage of a strong wind at their backs in the first half at Millbank, where the Thurso side lost 2713 against Greenock Wanderers.

The defeat keeps them in the relegation area in National League 3 but head coach Ewan Boyd believes his players are capable of escaping the drop back to the Caley Leagues.

He said: “We played well enough but really should have piled on more points when we had a gale at our backs. At only 13-7 in front at the break, it was never going to be enough.”

First-half tries from Graham Fryer and Gordy McLeod launched the Caithness bid to build up a substantial lead at the interval, supplemented by a Cameron Ryder penalty. They were pegged back by a converted try from the promotion-seeking Greenock.

The second half belonged to the visitors, who racked up 20 unanswered points to keep themselves in the running for a top-two place.

Meanwhile, Ellon were given a testing time in Tillicoultry in their Caley Division 1 game with relegationhaunted Hillfoots but eventually triumphed 14-10. At Kellands Park, second-placed Dunfermline defeated

Garioch 26-0, while Aberdeen Wanderers were unable to travel to Orkney due to the cancellation of ferries to the island.

In Caley 2 North, the shock of the day was at Rubislaw where Aberdeenshire destroyed 2nd Aberdeen Grammar 60-0. Highland 2nds also impressed with a 54-5 win at home to Moray.

Mackie FPs bounced back to form at Duff House, squeezing past Banff 28-24.

In the only game in Caley 3 North, Aberdeen University beat Peterhead 39-12 at Kings College.

In Caley 4 North, Fraserburgh won a cracking game with Inverness Craig Dunain 24-22, while 2nd Ellon returned to top spot after beating Deeside 19-5 at the Meadows.

“We should have piled on more points with gale at our backs”