Mill is the match-winner as Yellows consolidate second place
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Caithness 2nds edged to a 17-10 win over visitors Deeside on Saturday to consolidate their second place in Caley North Region Division 4.
The game was devalued before kick-off after the Banchory-based squad did not have enough players to field a fully functioning front row.
The resultant need for uncontested scrums set a flat tone to proceedings, though there was to be no lack of bite in the breakdowns and no quarter given in the tackling.
The Yellows enjoyed the lion's share of possession and territory but regularly struggled to break down an obdurate defence.
Deeside, who took over from Aboyne RFC, are helping fuel a resurgence in grassroots rugby in the north-east.
The ambitious club enjoyed a red-letter day at the start of September when the official wraps were taken off their new clubhouse by Princess Anne.
They ruled the roost in a first half at Millbank where two unconverted tries bookended a home counter from Mark Nicolson.
The latter was making a return to action after recovering from a shoulder complaint.
Deeside were under the cosh for most of the second period where they were pinned in their own 22 for long spells.
Caithness pulled level on the hour mark when scrum half Russell Mill plunged over from close range.
Mill proved the match-winner when he was on hand to finish off a series of pick-and-goes in the shadow of the line five minutes from time.
Jamie Mowat added the conversion to seal a victory which narrows the Yellows' gap on leaders Dyce to five points.
Caithness coach Cameron Boyd said: "We took a wee while to get into the game when our line speed struggled and we were a bit too frantic at times.
"But we settled in and, in the second half, we were playing in the right areas and our lineout was really firing.
"I thought it was a more mature performance, though we have still a bit to go."
The coach was full of praise for the performances of teenage back-rower Duncan Mackay and stand-off Mowat.
The 2nds' next outing is away to Craig Dunain on November 27.
