Kirkwall won the toss and decided to play with the wind at their backs from the kick off. The much bigger East forwards took the game on immediately with some strong rucking and mauling, not giving the younger (apart from Coltherd and Stoff) Kirkwall forwards the chance to open up and show their pace. Ten minutes into the game the East team managed to break the ranks of the Kirkwall ranks, to allow Doug MacAllister to score and Andrew Cromarty to convert.

Kirkwall were trying to spin the ball out wide and use their pace, but the East defence was standing strong and turning over play at every opportunity. With about twenty minutes played a maul from the East pack went over the line for a score only to find that Steven Kemp had managed to hold the ball up enough to deny the try. At half time the score stood at 7-0.

The second half opened up with the East rucking nearly the length of the pitch and scoring through Scott Milne, Andrew Cromarty missed the conversion. Tempers were beginning to flare as several players thought they were carrying the referees whistle. After a talk from the respective captains the game continued.

Kirkwall tried several attempts at trying to run out of there half with the ball in hand but were caught short each time. With the wind at their backs the bigger East lads began to stampede the smaller Kirkwall lads. Further tries were scored by Duncan Montgomery, Doug MacAllister and Pigeon came on as a substitute to score in the corner after Kirkwall tried to kick themselves out of danger, only for the strong wind to put the ball back behind the Kirkwall line and Pigeon managed to touch down.

The final score was 31-0 to the East.

A strong wind blowing from the top to the bottom of the pitch made the play difficult and kicking near impossible.

Credit has to be given to the young Kirkwall lads who although were a lot smaller and lighter than their East counterparts, played out of their skin and their heads never went down. A credit to the mini/midi set up. Erik Laughton, Andrew Cromarty and Steven Spence for the East showed their potential (get training and secure first team places!).Thanks to Rab Muir for refereeing a game, even with so many referees playing!

Champagne moment; Several but I don’t think they can be printed!!

BM