The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Highland near title
Rugby union latest,
Highland closed in on the National 3 title at Haddington where they all but clinched promotion against struggling Haddington but they must wait until Saturday when they end the season in front of their own supporters against St Boswells.
The seven-try rout of the East Lothian men means they can still be pipped by third-placed Newton Stewart should the Canal Park side lose heavily and fail to pick up a point, a scenario dismissed by head coach Davie Carson.
He said: “I’m happy it will all come down to our last match, especially as it is in front of our own marvellous supporters.
“We did what we had to do, though we were less convincing than of late.
“The heat didn’t help on a hard, tricky pitch.
“This weekend promises to be a great occasion for the club.”
The Inverness side made the worst possible start, to the dismay of the substantial travelling support, when home centre James Ferguson took advantage of some poor Highland defending to nip over for a try inside five minutes which was converted by scrum-half Alex Ferguson.
The visitors hit back immediately through a storming run from flanker Gordon Grigor, leaving centre Scott Fraser the easiest of conversions.
Lifted by the score, Highland went on to dominate the game, adding three more tries before the break, all converted by Fraser.
The touchdowns were
“I’m happy it will all come down to our last match, especially as it is in front of our own marvellous supporters”
attributed to winger Stephen Rutledge, a second for Grigor, and full-back Ian Chisholm, giving the northerners a try bonus point and total control of the game.
The second half was a formality as Highland eased off but they were not helped by a fussy referee who seemed not to cope with the tensions and importance of the afternoon.
After two early tries, scored by No 8 Andrew Findlater and replacement winger Craig Findlater, both converted by the excellent Fraser, there followed a long spell of inactivity from the visitors, allowing the Neilson Park side to get back into the game through an unconverted try from flanker Jonny Riddell.
But it was Highland who had the last word with Craig Findlater scampering home for his second try of the afternoon. Replacement kicker Craig Irvine
was off target with the conversion.
The afternoon and season was summed up by the highly influential Andrew Findlater who said: “It was a good day for us.
“We have leaders on and off the pitch. We can now go on and secure promotion, and the championship in front of our own folk.”
Haddington must now win their last game against bottom side Dalziel on Saturday if they are to avoid relegation.