Highland kept their top four place prospects on track after a hard-fought 34-22 win against National League One strugglers Watsonians.
The Canal Park men produced a three-try burst after the break to see off the plucky Edinburgh side who came up short of life-saving bonus points.
The Inverness side failed to hit the ground running, falling 10 points in arrears in the opening 10 minutes.
But they battled back with two tries, one scored by the ever-alert home winger Craig Findlater and a penalty try to grab a narrow 12-10 lead, only to be punished by the never-say-die visitors late in the half to trail 15-12.
After a strongly worded half time talk from head coach Davie Carson, Highland responded in style, scoring three fine tries to claim a 29-15 victory and a try bonus point.
The home tries were touched down by a second for Findlater, fellow winger Andrew Kellock and centre Timoci Waganibau, one of which was converted by stand off Scott Fraser.
Full time.
A try at the death takes away a a losing bonus point. We still get a point for the tries. #Watsonians #ExCordeCaritas @HarviestounBrew @SutherlandIFA @qmile_edinburgh @dhlexpressuk #BuckstoneRoofing pic.twitter.com/GrAGsX8iy1
— Watsonian FC (@WATSONIANFC) March 11, 2023
Carson said: “It was probably our best spell of concentrated rugby this season.
“It was a pleasure to watch. In fairness, Watsonians came back at us with a converted try to make for a very tense finish at 29-22 but we were well up to the challenge, scoring a late try through centre Rupeni Rokoduguni to see it out.
“It was a highly entertaining game after which the club donated £12,000 from our centenary fund to three national charities.
“There was another bumper crowd to cheer us on to what will hopefully be a high placing in the league.”
With three games remaining Highland have away games against Aberdeen Grammar and Dundee, but finish their campaign with a home game in which they will host league leaders Kelso who made their case for the title with a 24-10 over second-placed Ayr.
With two games to play Kelso are five points clear of the chasing pack.
GoGos trip to Orkney put on ice
On a weekend dramatically affected by the weather, Gordonians’ game at Orkney in National League 3 was postponed, enabling nearest challengers Hillhead Jordanhill and West of Scotland to close the gap to six and eight points, although the Countesswells side have two games in hand of both rivals.
In Caley 2 North third-placed Mackie were beaten 27-17 at home by fourt- placed Gordonians 2nds in a rousing encounter, while RAF Lossiemouth beat Shetland 37-19 at Lossie.
Conversation