Heroic display by Caitlin in Krakens’ Silver Saturday success
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A heroic display by Caitlin Harvey helped Caithness Krakens battle their way to victory in Scottish Rugby’s end-of-season club showpiece in Edinburgh on Saturday.
The full-back’s three tries and series of last-ditch crunching tackles featured in her player-of-the-match performance in the 47-27 win over Uddingston Selkies at Murrayfield Hive in the final of the National Plate.
It subsequently emerged that she had completed the match despite dislocating a shoulder 15 minutes from time.
The 27-year-old Dounreay instrument mechanic lay prostrate after aggravating a chronic complaint.
The Scottish Rugby medical team were unable to help and advised her to leave the field. But she called for coach Mike Flavell to intervene.
Flavell, a qualified physiotherapist, said: “We managed to roll her over in a way that the joint just popped back in.
“Caitlin then bounced up and it was clear there was no way she was coming off.”
Donna Edwards was also in the wars, with the replacement forward forced off early in the second half after sustaining suspected ligament damage to her left knee.
The Krakens received good-luck messages on the eve of the final from a clutch of sporting celebrities.
A YouTube video, compiled by left winger Megan Douglas, featured clips from Scottish internationalists Jamie Ritchie, George Horne and Jade Konkel; two-time World’s Strongest Man Tom Stoltman; and broadcaster Clare Balding.
Flavell said: “We played it on the bus the way down and it certainly gave them a wee boost.”
Saturday’s game was the start of a hectic weekend for Krakens right winger Carly Erridge. After scoring 17 points in the final, she turned out for Caithness Ladies football team in Nairn on Sunday, scoring in their 3-0 victory in the Highlands and Islands League.
