Krakens get off to a flying start in National Plate
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Caithness Krakens got their National Plate campaign off to a flying start with a gritty win in the capital on Saturday.
The visitors were always ahead in the opening match in their qualifying group against Edinburgh University. But they had to weather a fraught last 10 minutes on the rain-splattered artificial pitch at the city's Peffermill a player light before celebrating a 20-17 victory.
The Krakens set off for their overnight stop in Inverness on Friday evening with just 14 to face the students, who were a mix of their 2nds and 3rds.
They were joined for the match by Naomi Tennant, a guest from the Lenzie club, who played on the right wing.
New mum Emmy Smith was quick to show how much the Krakens have missed her during the league season with a barnstorming performance which included three tries.
The number eight was first to strike when she was the last link out wide to finish off a slick passing sequence.
After the students struck back, the Krakens went in at the interval 10-5 ahead thanks to a touchdown from inside centre Ellie Anderson.
A dominant Caithness scrum and good ball retention ensured the third quarter continued to be played largely in the students' half.
The pressure yielded two more tries for Smith, while several other highly promising opportunities were passed up.
The game started to go the way of the home side when the referee required Anderson to go off after sustaining a head knock.
Already stretched and fatigued through the lack of replacements, their 20-10 point lead started to look vulnerable.
Encouraged by a converted try, the students laid siege to the Krakens' line in the final five minutes but the visitors held out to secure the bonus-point win.
Coach Mike Flavell said: "It's great for the confidence of the team to get a win in our first match in the group after a fairly long trip and with just 15 players.
"At 20-10, I thought we were reasonably comfortable but they were a young, fit side and when we went down to 14 they put us to the sword."
Flavell said the students, who won the Caledonia Midlands/East Region Women’s Aspiring League, were doughty opponents.
"They defended really well and made us work very hard for the win. I'd say we probably had 70 per cent of possession and a good 60 per cent of territory.
"We were held up over the line a couple of times and botched two tries by not being able to make the last pass."
Flavell was happy how well his side performed despite this being their first outing for two months.
He singled out full back Karlyn Bernard for her sparky display in attack and defence.
He said Anderson's exit had been precautionary after she received a knee to her head and expects her to feature in Sunday's second group match at home to Orkney Dragons.
Flanker Helen Richard is unavailable but he expects otherwise to have a full squad.
The Dragons completed a Caley North Region League double over the Krakens but Flavell says his side has improved since their 43-0 reverse at Millbank at the start of October.
In the other match in the group, the Dragons went down 20-12 to Strathmore in Kirkwall. The other side in the group, Kirkcaldy, have yet to play.
Sunday's match at Millbank kicks off at 1pm.
