Highland’s recent run of wins came to an agonising end deep into added time when Lasswade stand off Mark Smith kicked a penalty to give his side the win.
It is a victory which could yet see the Midlothian side promoted – should St Boswells fail to beat Dumfries Saints on Saturday.
In a splendid encounter, full of free-running rugby on a perfect day at Inverness High School, it was a pity there had to be a loser.
But there was no complaint from Highland head coach Davie Carson who said: “It was a great game of rugby in which we didn’t take advantage of the wind at our backs in the first half. Conceding two tries in the first 20 minutes set us back, but we rallied and were arguably unlucky to lose, but it has been a good season. I was pleased our youngsters who stepped in played so well. Winger Michael Gordon’s two tries were absolute crackers. We now have a full squad who will be prepared for a promotion push next season.
“This our first season back in the national leagues and was always going to be one of consolidation. Finishing fifth was quite an achievement.”
Playing with a strong wind at their backs Highland might have been expected to prosper, but instead lost two breakaway tries in the first 23 minutes. First, centre Matt Wilson dashed 70yd to the line in 10 minutes, followed 10 minutes later by winger Chris Lamont.
Fortunately for the home side Smith missed both conversions.
Highland rallied, forcibly led by captain Stuart McDonald who helped prop Lewis Sinclair over the line in 35 minutes. Stand off Scott Fraser added the conversion, and right on the stroke of half time, kicked a penalty to tie the score at 10-10. Lasswade eased ahead right after the break when Smith kicked a penalty, only for Highland winger Gordon to galvanise the home crowd with a pulverising 80yd run to which Fraser added the extras in 52 minutes.
Back came Lasswade to ease into an 18-17 lead through an unconverted try from lock Steve Hunter, but the home side came back with another try from the irrepressible Gordon to lead 22-18.
The Midlothian side regained the lead with a try from winger Ken Smith which was converted by his stand off. In added time Highland looked to have won the game when scrum half Fionnlaugh Call raced over. But Fraser crucially missed the kick at goal and Smith had the last word with a penalty in the sixth minute of added time, breaking Highland hearts to win a great game 28-27.
Orkney had a bad day on the road, losing 90-3 to Glasgow Accies. Danny Bain kicked a lone penalty for the islanders.
