'Dad's Army' of Caithness rugby club enjoy veterans' contest in Dundee
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Caithness Evergreens ambled into action again at the weekend when they took part in the Dundee City 7s.
It was the second outing for members of the rugby club's recently formed 'Dad's Army'.
Apart from involving the more physically demanding abbreviated version of the game, the opposition proved younger, fitter and harder than on their debut at the Scottish Golden Oldies tourney in Aberdeen in May.
The squad of 21, however, emerged from the veteran's competition on Friday evening with their pride largely intact.
After going down 25-5 to Howe of Fife Occasionals, they recovered from going three tries down in as many minutes to draw 30-30 with Brechin Bruce.
The old stagers then pipped Panmure 30-25 to finish group runners-up to Howe.
The victory emptied the tanks and they were regularly on the back foot in the third/fourth play-off match which they lost 35-5 to Morgan Auld Blacks.
All the far north troops escaped with no more than an assortment of muscle strains and pulls, bumps, and bruises – to the body as well as the ego.
The day featured an on-pitch reunion of the Sangster family, formerly of Wick and Oldhall, Watten, now living near Dundee and Edinburgh.
Ex-Greens player and junior and senior coach Colin, who organised the tournament, made a cameo appearance, joining sons Andrew, Duncan and Donald, who all guested for the Evergreens.
Notable performances came from wingers Alan MacKenzie, in what was his first Sevens outing, and Graeme Ross, who scooted in for a hatful of tries.
The veteran's silverware went to Dundee Demons who saw off Howe 35-15 in the final.
On Saturday, Glasgow Accies won the 16-team men's competition, defeating Strathmore 24-12 in the final.
The women's title was retained by Howe who were 40-24 conquerors of Dundee Valkyries 1.
In the semi, Howe knocked out Dunfermline, for whom Caithness exile Kirsty Grant played.
The Evergreens have little time to recover before their next appearance, at the Orkney 10s on August 20.
