Minis impress at Ross
CAITHNESS minis enjoyed a successful day at the annual Ross Sutherland tournament in Invergordon. The competition was split into P4/5 and P6/7 sections with Caithness entering sides in each.
The P4/5 squad consisted of Joe Anderson (captain), Drew Matheson, Lewis Grant, Shaun Mackenzie, Andrew Hewitson, Leon Beardsley and Lewis Cowan.
The first game was against a hard tackling Lochaber team and they caught the junior Greens somewhat cold. The game ended 2-2 with Drew and Lewis touching down for Caithness.
The second game was against Ross Sutherland Reds. After being let off the hook in the first tie, Caithness got into their stride and ran in eight tries without reply. Try scorers were Joe (4), Shaun (2), Drew and Leon.
The third game proved more taxing though they were unlucky to go down by four tries to three against Highland Reds. Try scorers were Drew (2) and Leon.
The fourth game saw them go under by the same scoreline to Moray Whites in a very well-contested match. Joe (2) and Leon touched down.
The next game produced the best display for Caithness as they defeated Nairn seven tries to three with Joe running in four and Lewis Cowan, Drew and Andrew also touching down.
It was Andrew’s first full contact festival since graduating from the micros so it must have been a bit of a shock to the system but he soon came up to speed.
The final game against Highland Greens was a bit of a grudge match after Caithness’s earlier narrow loss to the other Highland team. The squad overcame exhaustion and the heat of the day to dig deep to pull off a 5-3 win. Lewis Grant got his first score of the day with Lewis Cowan and Leon getting two apiece.
The club player of the day went to Drew for his gutsy tackling and try scoring with a medal also going to Leon Beardsley for his rapid improvement from a slow start to the tourney.
Caithness P6/7 results: Caithness Greens 4, Highland Reds 3; Caithness Greens 2, Ross Stags 3; Caithness Greens 5, Moray Whites 4; Caithness Greens 7, Skye and Lochalsh 4; Caithness Greens 7, Nairn 3.
Caithness Yellows 4, Highland Greens 3; Caithness Yellows 7, Ross Wildcats 0; Caithness Yellows 4, Lochaber 2; Caithness Yellows 1, Moray Reds 1.
Scorers: Shannon Campbell (15); Kyler Casper, Scott MacDonald (7); Mark McCoustra (4); Callum Clark (3); Jack Sibbald (2); Murray Mackenzie, Max Kennedy, Craig Gunn, Ian Cook, Lewis Paterson, Lewis Bremner, John George McKenzie, Lucy Fraser; and Sinclair Bremner.
Players awarded prizes were: Max Kennedy, Shannon Campbell, John George McKenzie, Callum Clark, Kyler Casper and Mark McCoustra.