The traditional post-Christmas challenge match saw over 50 players take to the field at Banavie, aiming to entertain a sizeable crowd in the glorious winter sunshine.
Current, returning and retired players from both the Men’s and Women’s teams set out to show their abilities in a hard fought contest of skill and strength.
As both teams were piped onto the field, Gary Hendrie’s Presidents XV in the black and gold home strip and Ryan Davies’ Captains XV in the red away kit, the crowd settled in for what proved to be an engaging contest.
The Presidents XV had the upper hand in the early exchanges, with the more experienced pack dominating the younger Captains XV scrum.
Powerful running and big hits from both teams gave the crowd on the hill what they had come to see, with a few returning players relishing the chance to show they still had it what it takes.
Despite the early pressure from the President’s team, it was the cohesive backline of the Captains XV, taking advantage of their familiarity with one another, who opened the scoring.
Gaps appeared in the Presidents defence, and Jack Hamilton gained huge territory before offloading to Koni Johnson to score under the posts.
The Presidents XV continued their powerful running, former captain Callum Macdonald particularly relishing the contact to gain lots of territory, but it was the Captains XV who scored again, once more coasting through gaps in the defence, this time Jack Johnston powering over from close range.
The Presidents XV did manage to get back into the game before the halfway mark, with youngster Archie Campbell dotting down in the corner following good hands from the men in black and gold.
Into the second half, with both teams tiring, the scoring rate increased, with strong backline running from Davy Duncan and Ben Spong getting the scores for the Captains XV, while William Stewart rolled back the years for the Presidents XV to grab two scores.
In the end, the Captains XV took the spoils in a competitive and entertaining match, despite the best efforts of referee, President Gary Hendrie!
Liam Ryan was awarded the player of the match and took home a bottle of Fassfern Gin for his efforts.
In a first for the match, the newly reformed women’s team players now entered the fray in a mixed contest, during which the hits were no less brutal and the play on show highly skilled.
This was exemplified by Mairi Duncan, taking the opportunity to flatten her younger brother Davy, much to the delight of those on and off the pitch.
With the successful return and expansion of the women’s team this year, hopefully this brief cameo can become a permanent part of the Boxing Day fixture, with enough players for a standalone women’s match surely possible in the near future.
Lochaber RFC would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank everyone who came along to Banavie to support the players on the day, those who helped staff the kitchen and the bar staff who kept everyone well refreshed.
The next competitive action for the Senior Men is on Saturday January 13 at Banavie against the Glasgow University Medics, and for the Senior Women on Saturday January 20 away to Stonehaven to face Mackie RFC.
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