Winning start as Krakens take historic honours in Caithness clash
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Women's rugby made its festive season debut when the Krakens entertained an Exiles/Students XV at Millbank on Tuesday.
The respective coaches initially believed they could muster enough for a 10-a-side match.
But the match on the top pitch at Millbank went ahead with two full complements plus a couple of replacements.
Played in three 15-minute segments, it featured a clutch of local women who had not played since school.
After a scrappy opening, it turned into a rollicking, high tempo affair with little to choose between the sides before the Krakens emerged 24-12 victors.
One of the returnees, Shannon Campbell, from Wick, was quick to make an impact with the centre bursting through for the opening try after two minutes.
Kirsty Robertson's conversion attempt came back off the crossbar.
The Krakens responded with a prolonged spell in the opposition 22, sparked by a couple of meaty carries by number eight Emmy Smith.
A weaving run by full back Carly Erridge then almost saw her over, being downed by a last-ditch tackle as she was poised to score.
The pressure eventually told when Ellie Anderson started and finished off a sequence which featured a sparky break from Caitlin Harvey.
The Krakens kept on top for the remainder of the first third with the Exiles defending resolutely to avoid further damage.
Within two minutes of the resumption, another powerful carry from Smith was supported by Anderson who released centre Lauren Gunn to cross to put the Krakens 10-5 up.
The Exiles gradually fought their way back into the contest with Scottish youth cap Hannah Dunnett prominent with some incisive breaks.
Six minutes into the second third, they forged in front with a try from Aimee Curlis, converted by Lorna Murdoch.
Emily Flavell went close to extending their advantage when she was stopped just short after a cracking run.
The next score came at the other end when Smith powered her way over from the 22.
Karlyn Barnard landed the conversion to see the Krakens take a 17-12 lead into the second interval.
Mike Flavell's side's drilling and fitness came to the fore in the final third when they were rarely out of the opposition half.
They dodged a bullet when Dunnett broke from her own 22 and could have gone the whole way but for a textbook, all-enveloping tackle from Erridge.
Otherwise, the Exiles saw little of the ball as they soaked up wave after wave of attacks deep in their own territory.
The clinching score came in the final minute when Helen Richard pirated the ball after an opposition line-out and probed down the undefended blindside to touch down.
Erridge converted to end the scoring.
Flavell and Exiles' coach Sinclair Dunnett were delighted by the turn-out and the display of both sides.
Dunnett said: "It was great to see so many current and former players. It just goes to show the depth of talent that has come through the ranks in Caithness."
