Caithness Krakens on the brink of sealing women’s Caledonia North Two title after rout against threadbare Turriff at Millbank
Caithness Krakens all but sealed the Women's Caledonia North Two title on Saturday with a stress-free 67-5 walloping of visitors Turriff in their last competitive fixture of 2024.
They ran in 11 tries in a truncated match at Millbank, in which the north-east side's squad of 11 was brought up to full strength by the loan of a rota of home players.
A few injuries sustained by the visitors meant the final stages were played at 14-a-side before referee Paul Stewart brought proceedings to an end more than 15 minutes early.
Krakens coach Mike Flavell said: "Turriff battled away but we didn't really need to get out of second gear. I think they might have broken our line once in the whole game.
“They scored early on when there was a bit of confusion after they were awarded a penalty and their scrum half took a quick tap and went over to score.
"Otherwise, we would play a couple of phases and break away for a try. We had a purple patch about 10 minutes from half time when we played some really good rugby. We put some decent phases together and scored a couple of nice tries."
He singled out hooker Lindsay Dunnet for some strong carries and clean line breaks and diminutive scrum half Tamzin Rosie, who turned out for Scottish under-18s last season, for how she is adapting to senior rugby.
Flavell said the regular chopping and changing of personnel between the two teams made it difficult to achieve continuity.
Krakens try scorers were Caitlin Harvey (3), Emmie Smith (3), Rosie (2), Lauren Gunn, Carly Erridge and Devin Stuart. Erridge converted five and Karyln Gemmill one. Turriff's scorer was their captain, Isla Jack.
The Krakens, who have averaged 88 points across their five league victories, need just one more point in their outstanding re-arranged fixture, at home to Orkney Dragons on January 18, to clinch the title.
To deny them, Orkney would have to secure bonus wins at home to Moray on December 14 and away to Caithness, deny the Krakens any bonuses, and in the process make up a massive points difference of 450.
The Krakens will be involved in the Boxing Day match versus the Exiles, which was inaugurated last year to run alongside the established men's festive clash.