Yellows raise the tempo in second half to notch third victory
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Caithness Seconds notched up their third win of the season at Millbank against an experienced but short-handed Craig Dunain side.
The Yellows overturned a half-time deficit to run out 38-19 winners on Saturday in the Highlands and Islands conference of Caledonia North 2.
The Inverness visitors arrived short and were brought up to full strength after borrowing the front row who were due to have started for Caithness 1sts before their game was called off.
They also were given the services of flanker Cameron Clark, from Caithness, and young Orkney winger Jacob Heal.
The home generosity looked set to backfire as Craig Dunain came out of the blocks with a pumped-up pack and a stand-off in Jack Geddes who impressed with his tactical kicking and general game management.
They were rewarded for their early pressure as they worked an overload on the right to allow Heal to cross. Geddes struck the post with the conversion.
Flanker Sinclair Bremner was first to show in the loose for the hosts with a strong carry.
Prop Gary McPhee then almost propelled himself over the line before Craig Gunn picked up and dotted down to level the scores.
On 18 minutes, Craig Dunain spread the ball wide on the left with Ian Wefer and Aly Nixon combining before Geddes, on the loop, jinked his way over.
Geddes added the extra to put his side 12-5 in front.
It got worse for the home outfit when skipper Dave McIntosh was yellow-carded by referee Paul Stewart for a high tackle.
The lock almost atoned for his indiscipline with his first action on his return when he bullocked his way to the line only to be levelled a foot short.
After the interval, the Yellows had a more dynamic and cohesive look to them in attack.
Within four minutes the scores were level after flanker Max Kennedy forced his way over for a try, which Drew Mathieson converted.
Number eight Cole Wilson featured with several impressive carries as the Yellows kept their foot to the floor.
A sweeping wide move had them in front on 50 minutes, with Yeager Coghill sending Mathieson in for a try which he converted.
Kevin Budge did not take long to make an impact after his arrival, plunging over after a prolonged assault on the Craig Dunain try line.
Bremner then crossed after Wilson had done the legwork before Kennedy grabbed his second of the day.
Mathieson's fourth conversion completed a 13-point haul.
Craig Dunain had the final say with a smartly taken try from Geddes, which he converted.
Caithness coach Cameron Boyd said: "We were off it in the first half when there was a general lack of decisiveness in what we were doing. We were getting turned over and conceding too many penalties."
He was delighted they were able to raise the tempo and focus of their play after the break.
"We played in the manner we had set out to," he said. "We were pretty sound defensively and offered a lot more in attack."
The coach was particularly impressed with Kennedy, Gunn, McPhee and Wilson, in the pack, and centre Mathieson.
The Yellows are away to Kinloss Eagles on Saturday.
