Come Ashore Cup again has rugby bringing people together

The purpose of the cup is to underline the importance of mental well-being and is contested between ancient rivals Caithness and Orkney rugby clubs, separated by the Pentland Firth.

The event began after Caithness player and farmer Alexander Mill took his own life in April 2021, and there were other tragedies affecting both clubs around the time of the pandemic.

A community event if ever one existed, hundreds attended to remember Alexander, play some meaningful rugby and, importantly, delight in the array of local fare provided by some of the area’s best in baking and other home-made fare.

Caithness won the Come Ashore cup 46-33, but that final scoreline is almost irrelevant to the over-riding message of the day: “To look out for one another and to rest assured that whatever challenges you might be going through, the rugby community is there for you.”

In addition to the Come Ashore Cup match, there was a women’s sevens competition; a non-contact game; and a ‘Far and Wide Invitational’ match.

The 61-times capped Scotland prop, WP Nel, was a guest at the event with his family.  Willem played in the touch-rugby match; the Come Ashore cup match (for both Caithness and Orkney, scoring a spectacular try and drop-kicking the conversion for the latter!) and then in the invitational match.

Speaking about his own experiences, WP said: “A day like this, it’s important, men especially that we can come together and have a chat. Men can be a bit proud, but it’s good for men to sometimes be a bit vulnerable and just chat.

Russ Mill, who has been one of the driving forces behind the Come Ashore Cup, added: “I felt that there was a strong need to something in response to the absolutely unfortunate and untimely passing of my cousin Alexander due to suicide.

“I couldn’t help but feel that there was something missing and that we needed to come together, hence we brought about the Come Ashore Cup which I’m delighted to say is doing everything I ever hoped it would.”

Scottish Rugby brought the Calcutta Cup, the Doddie Weir Cup, and the Auld Alliance Trophy north for the event, with everyone thrilled to get their pictures taken with Scotland’s current trophy haul – WP Nel, having lifted the Calcutta Cup on numerous occasions, was the only patron exempt from putting gloves on to hold it, as per the terms of use put in place.

Pictured: The full squads for the Caithness Evergreens and the Orkney Vikings plus match officials line up before the game

Images courtesy of James Gunn Photography