Match report for Caithness 4/5 A team - Ross Sutherland Tournament

The “A” team for Ross Sutherland tournament was Liam Flavell (captain), Shaun Mackenzie (scrum half), Lewis Gill (stand off), Joe Anderson (centre), John Mackay (centre), Carter Mackay, Findlay Gunn, & Andrew Hewitson.
Coaches - Alan Mackenzie & David Miller

As usual the first game caught us a bit lagged with the bus journey but we almost won it. In the end getting beat 5 - 4 by Highland B. Tries were scored by Joe, Andrew & Shaun.

Second game we were well & truly beaten by a much sharper Nairn team. Score 6 - 2 with our tries coming from Joe & Liam.

Third game was a derby match with us up against a Caithness B team which had mostly new players. We won that one 7 - 1 & tries scored from Shaun, Carter, Joe, Andrew & Lewis.

Fourth game & we are starting to get into a groove now. Up against Moray & all was going well until Joe got a bad “stamp” on his leg which he had to sit out the rest of that game & Shaun getting a bad wrist injury which meant him sitting out the rest of the day. The B team was kind enough to loan us Hanna Dunnett as a sub replacement for this game. We drew this one 4 - 4 but if not for the early injuries then we would have won it easily. Moray was a good team though & one of the better games of the day. Our tries came from Lewis, John & Liam.

Fifth game, against the hosts Ross Sutherland. We were on fire by now & Joe back in with his stunning tackling & rucking. Andrew Hewitson also deserves a mention for his tackling. Half the size of some but still cutting them in half ! We come out 5 -1 winners with Joe & Lewis scoring the tries.

Last game, Highland A. Bit of payback for this game & the Caithness guys didn’t hold back for the last game of the day. Joe was nailing everyone that managed to get a hand on the ball & near the end of the game they were throwing the ball away when they seen him bearing down on them. Great linking play from every member of the team & if there was a few more games we wouldn’t have lost any as they were getting better & better as we went on. Joe, Andrew, Lewis & great to see Findlay Gunn getting tries to end the game. 4 - 0 to us.

This tournament comes from us only having 3 training sessions. They started linking together well & i was really pleased with how everyone gave 100 %
Lots to work on for next week but we are away to Orkney on Sat.
On a PCS front we were really pleased with their conduct & good manners shown by all.

We had to pick a best player & most improved player from our team. Myself & David both agreed that Joe Anderson should get best player & although the most improved could have gone to any of the others, Lewis Gill just pipped it.

Ross Sutherland were monitoring all the games throughout the day & they pick a best player from all the teams in attendance. I am very proud to say that they Picked Joe Anderson from the 4/5 age group & Connor Miller from the 6/7 age group. Both trophies coming back to Caithness. Very well done boys.

Final thanks to Jenny Matheson for organising this trip & all the others in the background sorting out the membership, kit etc

Alan Mackenzie.