Krakens hold on to halt Aberdeen's winning run
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A sizeable crowd at a bitterly cold Millbank on Saturday were rewarded with a cracking match which delivered the Krakens a notable win over Aberdeen Quines.
The result of the North Regional Women's League clash was in doubt until the final whistle as the visitors launched a vain late flourish to overcome the 22-26 deficit.
The city side travelled on the back of a 152 points haul from three straight wins over Craig Dunain, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
Caithness, meanwhile, were near full-strength and boosted by the season's debut of full back Caitlin Harvey, who has won international honours.
Hooker Kay Nicolson was also making her first outing while wingers Lauren Gunn and Catriona Andrew and front rower Susie Smith were playing their first ever game.
Honours were shared in the first half with an Olivia Henderson try cancelling out an early five pointer for the visitors.
The Krakens got their noses in front thanks to a try from centre Sharon Pasotti, converted by Megan Douglas.
After the Quines grabbed their second touchdown, Harvey finished off a stirring multi-phase sequence, crossing close enough for Douglas to convert.
The ding-dong encounter continued with a converted try for the visitors keeping them very much in contention.
Pasotti crossed again with Douglas bagging the extras to put the Krakens 26-17 ahead.
Back came the Quines with an unconverted try, which allowed them to travel home with the consolation of two losing bonus points.
Krakens coach Mike Flavell said: "It was a pretty even game. We had better backs than them but we often couldn't get the ball into space quickly enough. They defended well and slowed the ball down at the rucks.
"It was really physical but, unlike our game against Orkney when our heads went down when we lost a few tries, we stuck to the process and got the reward."
In an excellent overall display, he said number eight Emmy Smith and Pasotti were among the stand-out performers.
Flavell added: "The game helps build their confidence and belief that they are improving.
"It's just a shame we can't play more regularly – five-week gaps between games doesn't help."
The Krakens' next scheduled match is home to Stornoway on January 8.
