Russell looking for a reaction against Ellon after National Shield exit
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The road to Murrayfield began and ended for Caithness men's 1st XV on the opening day of the season on Saturday.
Their hopes of making progress were boosted after a closely contested first half-hour of their first-round National Shield clash away to Grangemouth Stags.
But two quick-fire tries by the hosts in the closing action of the half tipped the tie firmly in their favour.
The rampant Stags went on to convert their 18-3 interval lead into a 49-15 winning margin.
It proved a torrid first competitive spell in charge for Caithness coach Kenny Russell.
The game at Glensburgh went ahead on a cracking playing surface on a scorcher of a day.
The visiting defence survived a stern examination in the opening exchanges and after the half-hour mark the game was scoreless.
Grangemouth then established a 11-3 lead after a try from David Allan sandwiched between two Thomas Skelton penalties.
Caithness stand-off Marc Anderson landed a penalty in reply but the hosts drew further ahead with an injury-time touchdown from Stuart Harvey converted by Skelton.
The Stags took a firm grip in the second half with their big, attritional pack calling the shots.
The Caithness backs seldom got the chance to show what they could do in attack until the latter stages.
Harvey and Allan both crossed again and Skelton added another try before Gordie Macleod replied in kind, with Anderson landing the extras.
Home second row Adam Hind crashed over to put his side 42-10 ahead.
The visitors then showed what they are capable of when a stirring breadth-of-the-pitch sequence ended with winger Nathan Quinn touching down.
Grangemouth ended the scoring with a try from Stuart Hugh and Skelton's fourth conversion.
Russell heaped praise on his squad for how they fronted up against a team who have strengthened considerably from last season.
"I'm very proud of the boys for the effort they put in," he said.
"Unfortunately we got involved in an arm-wrestle up front and that is not really our game.
"The boys stuck to their task really well but we just couldn't impose the game we wanted to play."
Russell added: "Our game is a lot about getting round teams like them but we just weren't able to do that.
"Marc got very little front-foot ball to work off all day."
Number eight Reece Coghill and lock forward and former Stag Dave McIntosh were singled out by the coach for their unstinting effort in the pack.
He was impressed by the contributions from teenage replacements Ruaridh Mackay and Danny Macleod.
Caithness entertain Ellon on Saturday in their Caley 1 league opener.
Grant Anderson is still offshore and duo Scott and Dougie Webster are doubtful because of harvesting commitments.
On the plus side, front-rower Hamish Coghill and lock Kevin Budge are available along with hooker Calum Hill and utility player Max Kennedy.
Russell said: "Ellon are a big, strong, physical unit and will pose a similar challenge to Grangemouth.
"Training this week will be all about us imposing our game plan and, if that doesn't work, having a Plan B we can use."
He added: "Saturday was a sore one – physically and mentally – but I'm hoping that with this being the first game of the season at Millbank, with the weather set fair and a good crowd, we'll get a reaction from the boys."
The game kicks off at 3pm.
Caithness 2nd XV launch their Caley 3 season on Saturday with a match against Highland 3rds at Millbank.
