Caithness Krakens fall agonisingly short in National Plate semi-final bid
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The Krakens fell gut-wrenchingly short of clinching a last four place in the National Plate.
A victory in their final match at home to Strathmore at the weekend would have seen them go through as one of the three pool winners. Even a loss by seven or fewer points or scoring four tries would have been enough to secure the fourth spot which goes to the best-placed runners-up.
But they ended up going down 27-19 to the Forfar side, scoring three tries against five conceded.
That left the Krakens and Pool C runners-up Annan tied on 15 points, with the latter going through thanks to their better points differential (plus 91 against plus 38).
Saturday's encounter at Millbank between the Pool A frontrunners was ultra-competitive with less than a score separating them for most of the match.
Strathmore's greater cover on the bench was a decisive factor. The visitors had four players forced off by injury but were able to call on replacements.
Caithness went in on the back of a draining win the previous week against Orkney Dragons, with injuries and absentees reducing their squad to 16.
That included second-row Vicki Swan, who soldiered on with a shoulder knock, and scrum-half Karlyn Barnard, who rose from her sickbed.
Strathmore led 10-7 at the interval with their two unconverted tries sandwiched between a touchdown from Caithness prop Emmy Smith, converted by Carly Erridge.
The visitors did most of their damage in the third quarter when their domination was rewarded with three further tries, one converted.
The Krakens had struck first after the turnaround with a touchdown from number eight Ellie Anderson seeing them 12-10 in front.
But the visitors then took a firm grip with three tries, one converted, opening up a 27-12 lead.
Mike Flavell's squad pounded the Strathmore line in the closing stages.
The visitors had defended stoutly throughout but they were unable to stop the hard-running Smith grabbing her second try of the day near the end. Erridge's second conversion completed the scoring.
Coach Flavell was left disappointed but full of praise for his side's resilience.
He said: "I think if we'd had a week more to recover from the Orkney game, it would have made all the difference.
"There were some really tired bodies out there and at the end they were really out on their feet."
He added: "Strathmore were very good defensively. They had good line speed and were really well connected.
"I'd say they were the best-organised defence we have faced this season.
"We left a few opportunities on the park but it was a really decent effort from us – everybody put in a huge shift.
"Looking at the journey we have been on this season, we have come on in leaps and bounds."
With their 15-a-side season ended, the Krakens are now looking forward to a trip across the Pentland Firth for the Orkney Sevens on April 29.
Sunday's semi-finals see Strathmore playing Pool C winners Oban Lorne and Pool B winners Grangemouth meeting Annan.
