Highland captain Amy Brown says she “could not be prouder” after the Canal Park outfit secured the Arnold Clark Women’s Caledonia North One title.
The Inverness side knew that a win away at Lochaber on November 15 would make it impossible for second placed Shetland Valkyries to catch them.
As well as being important in the context of the league, the match at Banavie was also the second leg of the inaugural Two P’s Cup.
There is a long-standing competition between Highland and Lochaber men for the Two Ronnies Cup which was set up between Ronnie Bremner and Ronnie Young.
And now former Highland president Graham Findlater and ex-Lochaber president Charlie Donaldson have set up the women’s Two P’s Cup named after their wives Patsy and Pauline.
In early October, Highland won the first leg 52-0 and they went on to win the second leg 27-14 here to take home the Two P’s Cup and the league title, but not before Lochaber pushed them hard.
Lochaber came flying out of the gates early on in the clash and Mairi Duncan darted through for the opening score converted by Loren Christie.
And things got even better for the hosts when Millie Jackson dived over for their second try, again converted by Christie, to make it 14-0 at the interval.
Highland knew they had to step things up in the second half and they did to get themselves the win they needed.
Emily Sutherland, Elle Briggs (2) and Rheo Laurenson scored tries in the bonus point triumph with Lorna Young kicking two conversions and a penalty as the final whistle sparked celebrations for the away team coached by Brian Crush and Kev Brown.
“It was a tightly contested game between two strong and well-matched teams on Saturday,” winning skipper Brown said.
“We were slower to get going than we would have liked and a fired-up Lochaber took advantage of this early with two well-earned tries.
“We dug deep in the second half and finally found our momentum and form, taking back control of the game and putting together a strong final 20 minutes that resulted in four successive tries. Lorna Young kicked a late penalty adding crucial points and securing the win we wanted. The squad really showed real grit and work rate throughout the second half and left nothing out there.
“The effort across the pitch reflected how much the match – and the season – meant to the group with emotions running high as the final whistle went.
“I could not be prouder of the ladies for their efforts and, ultimately, the success we have had. We are delighted to have won the Two P’s Cup in its first year and even happier to have secured the top spot in the league for the first time.
We are very excited about the direction women’s and girls’ rugby is headed at Highland.”
Since then, Highland have had a walkover 28-0 victory over Inverness Craig Dunain and finished the league on 42 points from a possible 50.
Highland are pictured celebrating – thanks to Highland RFC
From November 14 to December 14, GH Media will be featuring on all aspects of women’s rugby in Scotland including the exciting conclusion to the domestic Premiership, news on Scots playing down south and lots more during a busy month.