That took a bit of a pounding after they conceded 11 tries in their record defeat at Garnock the previous week, and their visit with a weakened squad to another side bidding to clinch promotion prompted fears of another heavy reverse.

But these were dispelled with a purposeful, gutsy display on their first visit to the historic royal burgh of Annan, on the shores of the Solway Firth. The home outfit went into the game needing a bonus-point victory to seal their step up to National League Division 1 and on the back of an excellent Scottish Shield victory away to the Premiership 3 side Ellon.

They achieved their goal on Saturday, but only after grabbing a fourth try right at the end of what was a very competitive tussle.

With the Greens' large farming contingent all hors de combat through lambing and calving commitments, exiles Ranald Pottinger and James O'Brien were pressed into service. The threadbare squad meant Mid-Clyth youngster Dave Lewis-Saunders was the only back-up.

Caithness took advantage of an edgy start by the hosts, which was evident from their knock-on from O'Brien's drop-kick to start the match. The former Thurso High School pupil – now an engineer based in north-west England – gave Caithness the lead with a penalty after the Annan backs had strayed offside.

The visitors were soon called upon to display the stuffy resistance which was to be a feature of the game.

Annan's cause was also undone by several unforced errors which lost them prime try-scoring positions.

They levelled with a penalty from their centre Craig McCann after a ruck infringement by a Caithness forward.

Annan took the lead after fly-half Niall Smith's chip ahead was gathered and touched down by full-back Kevin Jones.

Though regularly on the back foot, the Greens did have their moments in attack and they looked set to reclaim the lead with a glorious midfield break from Duncan Sangster. Evan Sutherland was up to support but he was felled just short of the line.

The pressure was maintained and a penalty allowed O'Brien to claw back the deficit to 6-8.

It was extended by a McCann penalty before his side went over for a second try in the last action of the first half. It originated from number eight Graham Smith's pick-and-drive from the tail of the scrum and was finished off by Niall Smith's slick, weaving run to the line.

Annan's 16-6 interval lead was achieved with the advantage of a strong northerly wind and at that stage they were by no means certain of the victory, never mind the all-important bonus point.

The hosts called the shots early in the second period with a McCann penalty falling just short and fellow centre Michael Griffen then knocking on as he attempted to gather a bouncing ball before an unguarded line.

Caithness continued to frustrate their opponents with their well-organised and offensive defending.

On the hour mark, Annan increased their lead when their veteran lock Billy Henderson ploughed over after getting on the end of a clever feed from Niall Smith. McCann converted. This prompted a backlash from Caithness and it was Annan's turn to show their mettle to repel a series of sparky attacks.

The game was in injury time when Annan nicked possession from an opposition five-metre scrum. Griffen's run was checked but from the resultant ruck the centre was able to get free, re-gather and plunge over to spark celebrations in the home camp.

McCann's failed conversion proved to be the last act.

Caithness coach Colin Sangster was liberal in his praise for the efforts of his travel-weary side. He said: "They played really well against a very good team. We were never going to win the game, as we didn't do enough in terms of creating scoring opportunities. But they defended very, very well – the workrate they put in was through the roof."

The coach was sore at the tries at the end of each half, which he believed were avoidable.

Caithness have now completed their away commitments in the league. Their campaign is rounded off with visits by Garnock and Annan on April 21 and 28 respectively. Tomorrow, they are in action at the Moray Sevens in Elgin.

Annan: C. Warrick, P. Carruthers (captain), S. Kelly, B. Henderson, J. Nelson, M. Scott, N. Moffat, G. Smith, K. Hogg, N. Smith, A. Jancey, C. McCann, M. Griffin, J. Callaghan, K. Jones. Replacements (all used): G. Hogg, B. Blower, A. Halliday.

Caithness: R. Mackay, K. Hamilton, D. Sangster, J. Paterson, K. Gove, J. O'Brien, G. Fryer, S. Dunnett, R. Pottinger, J. Foubister (captain), E. Boyd, G. Anderson, L. MacNicol, E. Sutherland, S. Campbell. Replacement (used): D. Lewis-Saunders.

* Falkirk's 37-7 win over Stewartry means that a win over Highland tomorrow at Sunnyside would make them champions.

Garnock kept ahead of Annan in the race to finish second after a comfortable 42-6 win at Allan's Glens.

Howe of Fife sealed fourth spot with a 49-7 eclipse of Highland, who have to beat Falkirk if they are to have any chance of finishing above Caithness.

Kilmarnock moved up to fourth-bottom place after a decisive 34-0 victory over Duns, while Linlithgow defeated Glasgow Accies 17-0.

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