Reds edge it after drama in closing minutes

South of Scotland 30 Caledonia Reds 32

A courageous defensive effort and clinical finishing with the few opportunities they got saw Caledonia Reds edge a tense tussle against the South at Braidholm in Glasgow to clinch the Scottish Inter-District Championship.

There was high drama during the last five minutes when Reds fell behind for the first time in over 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 amongst the Reds squad and their large travelling support.

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 scrum-half Harry Russell. Brims kicked three conversions and a penalty before Faulds stepped up to slot that final, decisive score.

Caledonia Reds squad – 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).