Orkney U14s v Nairn Saturday 24th April 2010
An Orkney Under 14`s Development squad hosted Nairn RFC under 14s on Saturday the 24th of April, which proved to be a great game showing lots of promise for next seasons U14 players. Orkney fielded a strong squad of twenty five players of which only six players were S2. Nairn were one player short before the kick off and Orkney gave them an extra player in the form of Steven Skea the Sanday flying machine.
Orkney kicked off and immediately exerted pressure onto the Nairn players which some ferocious tackling that eventually led to a try by Craig Russell who dived onto a loose ball from a defensive scrum by Nairn, converted by Taylor Pilkington. It was Taylor himself that scored the next points for Orkney with a strong run. Next up was David Porteous with some elusive running to score out wide on the right side of the posts. Nairn started to shake off their early nerves and put some good play together resulting in Steven Skea sprinting thirty yards for Nairns first points. The orkney boys finished off with some great driving play and after a series of quick ball from the ruck David Porteous showed his strength to to score after shrugging off four tacklers. Half time 22 - 5.
The second half produced some fine play from both teams with Nairn coming to life and starting to believe in themselves a bit more. It was again Steven Skea who scored from sixty metres for Nairn to open the scoring for the second half with the orkney boys failing to organise their defence. Nairn hit back again with a try from a genuine Nairn player much to the delight of the away spectators, the try was duly converted. With the score now at 22-17 the orkney boys stepped up a gear with the aid of some tactical changes from the bench. It was the inform David Porteous who scored the next two tries in succession in the space of five minutes to stretch Orkneys lead to 32 - 17. Orkney then took up good posession on their own twenty-two metre line and distributed the ball wide onto the right wing where Andrew Shaw was waiting in anticipation of a good run, Andrew received the ball and outpaced three Nairn players on the outside to run in from seventy metres, a fantastic show of pace Nairn fought back in the last two minutes to score from a penalty tap six metres from the orkney line. Final; Score 37 - 22
Coach Bruce Ruthven commented on his players performance by saying "our boys played well in patches throughout the game and scored some terrific individual tries, it was a good exercise for us whilst rotating the squad everyone that played gave a good account of themselves. This shows alot of promise for next season and many thanks to Nairn for making the trip to Orkney."
Bruce
Glaitness Primary School
Glaitness Primary School have received six sessions of Tag Rugby over the last six weeks. The children are now confident with the rules of Tag Rugby and have showed that they can participate in a full game using the techniques and skills they have learnt.
Bruce Ruthven stated; the players have worked very hard at their passing and catching skills and this work has now paid off with the children now at a level where they can have competitive games. We have also made efforts to work on pupils fitness and I hope that the pupils see a difference in this. I would like to congratulate all of the pupils for their efforts and hope that they continue to practice Tag Rugby.
Quotes from some of the pupils:
We’ve learned lots of new skills. – Dona
It’s tiring but we really enjoy it! – Jordan
Sometimes it’s a bit cold but we still enjoy it! – Claire
You get fit and healthy doing it. – Emma
It’s really good fun! – Leah and Bethin
Stronsay Junior High School has been receiving rugby training and games since February half term from Orkney RFC Development Officer Bruce Ruthven. Pupils have been taking part in Tag Rugby, working on ball handling exercises, evasive running skills and team work. S1 and S3 pupils have also been working on leadership skills and have been involved in taking the Lower and Upper Primary kids for rugby training.
Head Teacher Susan Robertson comments;
All the pupils from the nursery upwards have benefitted from having the
opportunity of working with Bruce on their tag rugby and leadership
skills. As a result of the course we have two S1 pupils now going to
rugby training in Kirkwall on a Saturday and two S3 pupils who are
going to attend the refereeing course. We are all looking forward to
the Tag Rugby Festival and are going to train hard in the next few
weeks. The pupils and staff would like to say a big thank you to Bruce
for all his work with the school.
Bruce Ruthven says; Stronsay J.H.S. have completed a block of coaching and have shown great enthusiasm especially in the lower and upper primary. The upper primary children will be taking part in the Tag Festival on the 23rd April with two S3 pupils Josh and Lauren using their leadership qualities from their Youth Rugby Coaching Course which they are currently undertaking to assist the Stronsay team. I am delighted that we now have two S1 pupils now attending Orkney RFC U14s training, Both Keith and Craig have shown great commitment towards the training at school and are now in line to represent Orkney at rugby. Well done to them both.
Burray & St Margarets Hope Primary Schools
On the 30th November Burray & Hope Primary School came together for a festival of rugby that polished off a block of coaching from Bruce Ruthven. Both schools received six sessions over six weeks and resulted in both schools receiving a chance to play competitively against eac hother
U14s trip to Inverness to play Highland RFC
Bruce Takes Rugby to The Orkney Schools
Schools and Pupils from the whole of Orkney & Isles have been receiving both taster sessions and blocks of coaching from Club Development Officer Bruce Ruthven. Bruce has been taking Fundamentals of Movement training and Multi-skills for lower Primary children whist upper primary kids have been undertaking Tag Rugby. Commenting on the Primary School work Bruce says; we have had a magnificent response from schools, pupils and staff since September 2009 when the post began, the majority of schools have been in touch and have now received Rugby Coaching. Rugby is a great game for all and encourages players of all ages and sizes to get involved whilst concentrating on running, passing & catching skills in a team environment.”
Kirkwall Grammar School, Stromness Academy and the Junior High Schools have also been involved in Rugby promoting Tag Rugby, Contact Rugby and Fitness & Conditioning. If your school or club has not received rugby yet please contact Bruce for more information.
Orkney RFC have three mini sections throughout Orkney and are for P4-7 children, they take place as follows;
Dounby P.S. on Saturday morning from 10am – 12 noon
Kirkwall Minis at Orkney RFC on Saturday mornings from 10am – 12 noon.
St. Andrews Mini Section at St. Andrews P.S. on Sunday mornings from 11am – 1pm
The Midi Section takes place at Kirkwall Grammar School on a Saturday morning from 10am – 12 noon, this is for S1-4! Any players at Under 18 level should contact Bruce if interested in playing. Both the mini and midi sections of the clubs have training and fixtures throughout the season which runs from September – April.
Please feel free to contact myself if you require any information regarding the Orkney Schools Community Rugby Project/Mini or Midi Rugby or any matter you feel or relavance.
Bruce Ruthven
Orkney RFC, Development Officer
Mob: 07584 167 83
E-mail: bruceruthven.orfc@yahoo.co.uk
Rugby Flourishes in Burray & Hope
Both Burray P.S. and Hope P.S. have received Tag Rugby sessions over the last six weeks. The pupils have undertaken skills training and have been learning the rules for Tag Rugby. On the last session both schools came together to put their skills to the test and have a small festival of rugby.
Bruce Ruthven commented; “The pupils at both schools have received six sessions and endured some terrible weather conditions over the weeks but have trained very well. It was great to see the players involved in Tag games on the last week with everyone getting fully involved and using the skills that they had learned and improved on in previous weeks. The pupils involved have shown great enthusiasm and a keen interest in the rugby with some players now involved in Kirkwall and St. Andrews mini sections.”
Burray and Hope head teacher Jack Cromarty says”The children at Burray and St.Margarets Hope Schools have become very enthusiastic about the schools rugby organised by Bruce Ruthven. They now have joint training sessions to have a more viable pool of players, which enables more game play to take place.”
St. Andrews Primary School achieve Healthy Eating Certificates
St. Andrews Primary 6 children have undergone a vigorous six weeks completing a course in Food Hygiene, Healthy Eating and Rugby Training. The course is a joint venture by the Scottish Rugby Union and the Food Standards Agency and is conducted through school teachers and Bruce Ruthven from Orkney RFC.
Bruce explains, “this project has been running for several years now and is conducted throughout schools in Scotland. Approximately two hundred children will participate in this course in Orkney schools this academic year. St. Andrews Primary School have undertaken the programme and achieved great results with their knowledge on a Healthy Balanced Diet, Food Hygiene and enjoyed six Rugby sessions of Tag Rugby.
Neil McIntosh is the Primary 6 teacher at St.Andrews, Neil states;
“The rugby diaries scheme was a great educational resource to be involved with. It
combined the physical and practical skills of tag rugby with the theory
of healthy living and awareness of food hygiene, preparation and
storage.
The topic fitted in really well with the additional 2 hours of PE that
we are striving to give each child. It also brought learning outdoors
and really focussed on interdisciplinary learning throughout.
Both pupils and staff really enjoyed being part of the course and other
pupils in the school are looking forward to completing a similar course
later this term.
The St Andrews Mini's with Bruce & helpers