THE competitive rugby season got under way last Saturday in Invergordon with the Ross annual 10s competition, sponsored by Ardgay Game.
Highland Greens and Caithness, who both played in National Division 2 last season, were favourites to win the competition, with Ross Sutherland Stags and RAF Lossiemouth expected to run them close. Highland Reds, who won the divisional North West league last season, were the dark horses of the competition with Craig Dunain and Ross Wild Cats expected to offer lively and competitive opposition. Group A brought the first surprise of the day when Lossiemouth beat Highland Greens to the top spot and went through to the semifinals as winners of the group, Highland Greens playing in the other semi as runners-up of Group A.
Group B brought further surprises when first Ross Stags beat Caithness, but then Highland Reds lived up to their reputation as dark horses by beating both Ross and Caithness to go through to the semis as Group winners.
This brought both Highland teams together in the first semifinal and although Highland Greens were firm favourites, the Reds team ran out comfortable winners playing with a mix of youth and experience along with a pair of Fijians who were in impressive form. Ross Sutherland Stags had a difficult game in the other semifinal against a strong Lossiemouth team, but tries from young players Michael Gordon (2) and Jake Eaglesham helped the hosts reach the final with a 17-12 win. Ross had won the competition for the past two seasons but it was clear this season would be a more difficult task. Caithness had some consolation when they beat Ross Wild Cats in the bowl final, prior to the main event.
In the final, Ross Stags got off to the best possible start with another try from Jake Eaglesham, but the Highland Reds soon hit back with two tries to take a 14-7 lead which they held until the last few minutes in a close and tough final. The Highland stand-off then worked a dummy scissors with his Fijian centre and turned on the accelerator to score an outstanding try that killed off the Ross resistance and gave the Highland team a deserved 21-7 victory.
The league programme opens up on Saturday, September 3 when Ross Sutherland Stags play Lochaber and Ross Sutherland Wild Cats play Moray, both games in Invergordon. On Saturday (August 20) Ross Sutherland Stags travel to Blairgowrie to compete in another 10s competition. Meanwhile the Wild Cats will play a friendly away to Craig Dunain. The club has a target of 50 squad players to run two teams and will be actively recruiting to reach this number.
Training takes place in Invergordon on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7pm and new players are welcome.
The Junior Club start back to training on Saturday morning (20th) and all ages from 8 to 18 are invited, 10am - 12pm.
