The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Caithness just champion as league is won despite defeat
STRATHMORE 54 CAITHNESS 36
Caithness were crowned Caley Division 1 champions on Saturday despite losing 54-36 against Strathmore at Forfar.
The promotion was gained by virtue of a tryscoring bonus point as the Inchmacoble side valiantly attempted to close the huge points difference that separates the top two.
The Thurso men will move up to National 3 next season where they will join Gordonians and Perthshire as well as Orkney, should the islanders avoid relegation next week.
The visitors four tries were enough to see them promoted, although Caithness player-coach Tom McGee was disappointed they were unable to clinch the title with a victory.
He said: “It’s not the way we would have chosen to go up but, over the season, we have been the most consistent side, scoring 637 points in our 15 games played to date. A total we will boost when we celebrate at home to Dunfermline this weekend in our last game.”
Banff finished their season in Fife, losing 83-5 to Glenrothes, and will return to Caley 2 North next term after finishing bottom of the league.
The Duff House side’s place is likely to be taken by Ellon, who leapfrogged Moray to take over the leadership of the second tier after defeating the Elgin side 68-15.
The comprehensive win at the Meadows was played out in front of the biggest crowd seen there in years, bringing back a sniff of the glory years of the 1990s when the Ellon side achieved six consecutive promotions.
The home side was worthy 10-try winners after surviving an early assault on its line by a determined Moray side.
Head coach Sam Mountain said: “This is a good, young, local side. We recovered from a slow start to make our case for promotion but it’s not over. We still have to go to Inverness and will be taking nothing for granted in our last four games.”
The win was orchestrated by former Aberdeen Grammar stand off Ally Addy, who scored two tries, kicked six conversions and two penalties.
Elsewhere, Highland 2nds beat Mackie FPs 36-34 in Inverness.
In Caley 3 North, the stage is set for a doubleheader play-off at Banff on Saturday, April 28 when leaders Kinloss Eagles play North Scotland Police.
Eagles warmed up for the occasion by beating Fraserburgh 66-29, while Police ended the challenge of Aberdeenshire with a 20-18 win in Aberdeen.
“Over the season, we have been the most consistent side”