Caithness head coach says defeat was worst display of the season
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Kenny Russell called Caithness men’s first 15’s defeat away at Hillfoots the worst display under his watch.
He did not spare the horses after the 20–18 reverse, with his players coming in for an ear-bashing in the post-match debrief.
Russell was at a loss to explain the performance as he said they had trained well and were, on paper, one of the strongest travelling squads of the season.
However, mistakes cost them dear in Clackmannanshire.
“We were the architects of our own downfall,” he lamented.
“I’d say that both individually and as a team, that was the worst performance of the season. The players knew that themselves – just nothing clicked.
“The penalty count was high, as was the error count. We just couldn’t get any rhythm going and it was really difficult to take any positives.
“Individual and collective errors and indiscipline made it a really tough watch.”
Russell would have been forgiven for feeling somewhat optimistic when his players made it through a 10-minute period with 13 players on the pitch after yellow cards to both Douglas Webster and Nathan Stewart.
Despite being far from their best, The Greens went ahead in the second half thanks to Jamie Mowat’s penalty, but a quick concession afterwards was a kick in the teeth.
Hillfoots went on to take full advantage with a quickfire triple of penalties themselves, and though Caithness did get one score back they could not capitalise on their hosts’ tired legs to go on and clinch victory.
“We were feeling good about ourselves as we hadn’t played at all well and had edged in front,” Russell said.
“But we kept giving away silly penalties and were unable to go through more than two phases before getting turned over or going off our feet at the breakdown.
“They (Hillfoots) were out on their feet and if we caught that, I’m sure we’d have driven to the line in that last maul and come home with four points.”
Russell will be looking for a big reaction this weekend when Caithness host Aberdeen Wanderers.
Number eight Grant Anderson is back onshore while Cameron Ryder, Mark Nicolson and Tom Storey will return to the squad, as will Max Kennedy if he passes a late fitness test.
Ellon joined Dunfermline at the top of Caley One on Saturday after the north-east side scored a 43–7 win away to Aberdeenshire.
