Krakens' second-half dominance brings bonus-point victory in Stornoway
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The Krakens emerged victorious on their trip across the Minch for the first of back-to-back fixtures against Stornoway.
They were never behind in their 38-24 bonus-point win in Caledonia North Region League 2.
Flanker Devon Stuart ran in three tries for the visitors, who travelled with 15, meaning they all had to put in an 80-minute shift.
Despite the 6am start and the ferry journey of two hours and 40 minutes, Caithness started well. They withstood persistent early pressure from their hosts before striking first with a fine solo run from exile Kirsty Robertson.
A further try from Stuart, converted by Carly Erridge, had them 12-0 up.
A sparky spell of play saw Erridge narrowly denied but soon centre Robertson was set loose with her evasive running dodging tackles to touch down for her second try, which she also converted.
The hosts kept the contest very much in the melting pot after a purple patch just before the break saw them cash in on several handling errors on the greasy pitch.
It netted them two tries, one converted, to reduce their interval deficit to 12-19.
The break recharged the Krakens whose work in the set-piece and ball retention on the training paddock paid handsome dividends.
Forwards Helen Richard and Shauna Malcolm were prominent in the loose where the visitors' recycling at rucks was notably faster than in previous games.
Captain Emmy Smith was her usual abrasive presence while stand-off Ellie Anderson put in a power of work in attack and defence.
Backs Lauren Gunn and Megan Douglas made some decent line breaks and linked well with winger Tanya Cowie, who showed up well in what was her second game.
The Krakens dominated the second period which yielded them three more tries.
Stuart dotted down twice more and Smith got the other.
Robertson added two more conversions to end up with a personal haul of 16 points.
The Lewis side enjoyed some decent spells of pressure after the break with two further tries, one converted, earning them a losing bonus point.
It was a heartening win for the Caithness women who are now looking forward to hosting the reverse fixture at Millbank on October 21.
