Injuries take toll as Ross Sutherland suffer first defeat of season
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ROSS Sutherland suffered a first defeat of the season, going down 0-41 at league leaders Deeside.
With barely 13 players available to travel due to injury and work commitments it was always going to be a tough task to contain last season’s division three champions. The Stags competed well in the first 40 minutes however, the gaps opened up in the second half as tiredness kicked in and in the end it was a comfortable win for Deeside.
Coach Ben Ockenden is looking forward to having a stronger side to face Lochaber this weekend: He said: “Fortunately we’ll have a few back that had to work last weekend, although we’re still carrying quite a few injuries in the squad. I’m confident that we’ll be strong enough to beat Lochaber.”
Last season’s top try scorer Mike Gordon has been out the longest having sustained an ankle injury in pre-season: Ben added: “Mike has started back training which is great, but he’s still a couple of weeks from being match fit. It’s been really frustrating for him sitting on the sidelines and he’s certainly a player we’ve missed. Hopefully we’ll see him back on the pitch soon.”
It was another great spectacle of emerging rugby talent on Sunday at Ross Sutherland’s annual Minis Festival.
The sun shone for the two hundred-plus children and parents who descended on Invergordon from rugby clubs across the north of Scotland, and they all contributed to the warm and friendly atmosphere that the Ross Sutherland festival is known for.
The festival was run to Positive Coaching Scotland (PCS) guidelines where sportsmanship and behaviour of the teams (including parents and coaches!) count towards the overall scoring.
Caithness retained the P4/5 award they won last year, while in the P6/7 section it was the hosts who came out on top. The P1-3s played rugby to their hearts’ content and every player was rewarded with a medal.
Meanwhile, the youth section were enjoying success of their own against combined Moray Huntly sides through in Elgin. It was one win apiece in the S1 and S2 games while the Ross U18s had a convincing 50- win.
In the final game of the afternoon the U16s put 66 points past their opponents with no reply; Jake Henry and Lewis Macleod were once again the main attacking threat with three tries each.
This coming Saturday there is another feast of rugby at Invergordon. Deeside and Aberdeen Wanderers provide combined opposition for the S1 /2s (11.30am) and U18s (1pm), while the 1st XV host Lochaber (noon). On Sunday the U16s expect to host Moray/Huntly (1pm) in their rearranged Youth Bowl opening fixture.
