Moray lost their unblemished Arnold Clark Caledonia 1 North record when they were beaten by Caithness, in Thurso, by 28 points to 24 in a game that could have gone either way.

Caithness kicked off with a strong wind behind them and in the 3rd minute took the lead. Following several phases in the 22, the ball was moved wide for a converted try and 7-0.
In the 9th minute, Moray responded. Having already shown they were the dominant scrum, they took a scrum for a penalty in the 22. After a number of driving phases, the ball was moved to full-back Rory Millar who drew the defence before moving the ball to wing Andy Humberstone who scored an unconverted try for 7-5.
Six minutes later, the home side scored a second. A 50-22 gave them an attacking line-out in the 22. Ball was taken and moved wide and the wing managed to make the line for a converted try and 14-5.
The Elgin side returned to the offensive in the 22 but good tackling and a jackal turned ball over.
In the 23rd minute, Caithness progressed to an attacking scrum 5. Ball was moved quickly through the backs and the full-back took a good line to break the defensive line and score another converted try for 21-5.
Six minutes later with Moray in attack in the 22, the ball was intercepted and the ball moved wide to the wing. When confronted with Millar, the last defender, the ball was chipped and the wing won the foot race to score a converted try for 28-5.
In the final moments of the half, the visitors were attacking in the 22. After a couple of penalties and several phases, the ball was moved wide to wing Lewis Hogg, who had just replaced the injured Humberstone , and he scored an unconverted try out wide for 28-10, the half-time score.
Within 3 minutes of the restart, Moray reduced the lead. Following several phases of driving play in the 22, the ball reached No 8 Neil Alexander and he made the line. Millar converted for 28-17.
The Elgin side were now dominating the play and camped inside the Caithness half. Although they had this domination, they did not manage to score due to the stealth home defence, some inaccuracies on good opportunities and were even held up twice over the line.
In the 75th minute, they did score to get back within winning distance. Strong driving for the line was initially repelled by the stout defence but hooker Lewis Scott drove hard before being taken down just short of the line. Prop Fraser Ireland was on hand to pick up and barge over the line. Millar added the conversion for 28-24.
Moray returned immediately to the offensive to get one last opportunity to win the game. They again found themselves driving for the line but Caithness somehow managed to get a hand on the ball, turning over possession and although the visitors tried to regain the ball, the home side held on and secured the victory.
It had been a good first half for the Caithness side but after the break, Moray dominated field position and the contest, had plenty opportunity but came up against a very resolute and determined defence. Although disappointed, they did, however, secure 2 bonus points and still sit top of the league.

This Saturday, Moray are at home and play Mackie in the league. Kick-off is 3pm.