Orkney RFC turn up the heat against Alloa

John Scott (Orkney Today)

Orkney 22, Alloa 8

IN freezing conditions Orkney ultimately showed their supremacy in strength and experience against a never-say-die Alloa team in their Caledonia League Division 1 match at Pickaqouy this afternoon.

in the first half with wind advantage Orkney always looked to have the upper hand. Rodney Spence scored their first try in the seventh minute and the second shortly afterwards with James Linklater converting both to give the home team a comfortable 14-0 advantage.

Alloa's young forwards did from time to time show threatening bursts of inspiration but play remained generally in their half. One such move, however, provided them with a penalty chance successfully taken by Allan McGhee and another, a break-away unconverted try by stocky Gregor Sneddon at a corner flag, which narrowed the scoreline to 14-8.

But Orkney continued to dominate play and in the closing minutes of the first half - with Linklater sin-binned for an earlier offence - Roger Hall cleared another penalty kick between the bars, making the half-time score 17-8.

The second half was a rather scrappier affair. Orkney failed to take advantage and the strong wind against them played havock with high kicks. Occasional glimpses of genius did show, however, from Rodney Spence, Scott Milne, Roger Hall and James Linklater.

Alloa were unlucky not to increase their scoreline. They piled on the pressure, tackled well, won quite a lot of lineout ball and tried hard to find space to release their fast flowing play, but, Orkney's defence held and the home side was compensated by a final solo try from Roger Hall who ran from inside his own half to crash over the line.

It was one of only a few satisfying moments for the home supporters in the second half which was bereft of anything to excite.

This was a critical match for Orkney. They needed a convincing win before their Orkney Today-sponsored Scottish Cup clash against Division One side Hillfoots at Pickaquoy next Saturday, and they got it.