Highland ended the year on a high, running in seven converted tries against Kelso in a 49-21 home victory to keep themselves in contention to be National 1 runners-up.
It was the perfect response to the disappointment of losing out to leaders Biggar two weeks ago.
For head coach Dave Carson it was a day of mixed emotions which had started with a bigger-than-usual crowd at Canal Park turning out to pay tribute to former player Lewis MacDonald, 23, who had died the previous week.
Carson said: “It was touching that so many young people, many of them students, turned out to pay their respects to Lewis.
“Credit to our guys who got on with the job of keeping us on track to end up as runners-up to Biggar, who will be worthy champions.
“Our next target is to beat Heriot’s at Goldenacre on Saturday, January 11.
“In the meantime we’ll enjoy our festive break while quietly preparing for a busy start to 2020 – which includes a huge game against Marr in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.”
Highland shrugged off the emotion of the day, racing into a 21-7 half-time lead, mainly due to a brace of tries from an in-form Mike Gordon, who pulverised the Kelso defence with his incisive running on the wing.
With stand-off Scott Fraser in fine fettle with the boot, it was just too easy for the Inverness side. Fraser was also responsible for keeping his back division in the game and instrumental in sending over full-back back Steven Rutledge for Highland’s other first-half try.
The home side kept up the pressure in the second half, enabling Gordon to complete his hat-trick early in the half, gaining them a precious try bonus point in the process.
Three further tries – attributed to centre Rupeni Rokoduguni, number eight Oscar Baird and prop John Milton – swelled the home total, to add to the Borderers’ misery, especially as Fraser added the conversions, giving the home side a 49-7 lead.
This was cut back by Kelso with two late converted tries to give the final scoreline a more respectable look.
But the day belonged to Highland who end the year in the rudest of health to build on last season’s promotion.
Highland will most likely have back-rower Andrew Findlater back from injury in the new year in their drive for second place which, on this form, looks a good possibility.
The result means Highland sit third in National 1 with 50 points from their opening 14 games.
Leaders Biggar were surprisingly held to a 22-22 draw at home to Gala.
But Biggar are 10 points clear of nearest challengers Heriot’s Blues.
