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Under 18's Start Season with a Bang

Grangemouth U18's 12, Orkney U18's 47

Orkney U18s travelled south to Grangemouth at the weekend to take part in a friendly match to prepare for the upcoming league season.  The match was organised into four quarters to substitute players, try different permutations and give everyone a good run out.

The match started strongly for Orkney from the kick-off, despite winning secure ball, Grangemouth failed to clear their lines and good Orkney pressure saw the home side pushed back deep in to their 22-metre area.  The first score was not far away as the Orkney pack drove towards the line, with Erlend Grieve being awarded the try on the back of some good driving play. This morale-boosting start gave Orkney confidence as both backs and forwards looked to get over the gain line.  The first period saw some very encouraging play as the forwards generated good quick go-forward ball to release to the backs.  The backs in turn provided a target for the forwards by getting through the tackle-line and looking for support.  After a couple of spurned chances Orkney made the pressure tell with a tries wide on the left through Alex Bews as Orkney put away an overlap opportunity. Orkney’s third try was the pick of the first period, as Eion Donaldson brushed aside a couple of defenders before powering towards the line.  Good scramble defence by Grangemouth and a well timed pass, and good support allowed Marcus Guthrie to go over for the score.

The second period started in the same manner as Marcus Guthrie went over for his second under the posts, which he converted.  There then came a phase in the match were the discipline of the earlier exchanges was relaxed.  Forwards stopped working so effectively, and the backs, now accepting poorer ball, were throwing flatter, riskier passes – not all going to hand.  Partly this, and partly some good positional kicking saw Grangemouth set up and attacking lineout in Orkney’s 22-metre area.  A clean catch and persistent drive to the line was rewarded with Grangemouth’s first try of the match. This wake-up call, restored some of Orkney’s earlier standards, and went on the attack again.  After some good build up work, Chris Guthrie provided some width, before looping and linking up with Andrew Taylor.  Some inter-passing between the two players allowed Chris to cross in the corner.  More good pressure and field position by Orkney allowed David Grant to score the final try of the half with a pick and drive around the break-down deep inside the Grangemouth 22. Further second half changes saw a much more competitive second half, as Eion Donaldson (2) and Alex Bews completed the Orkney scoring with some powerful and elusive running respectively.  The final try of the match was scored by Grangemouth, again through good driving work in the forwards – their body positions far more effective than Orkney’s defence.  Final score 47 – 12 to Orkney.

The match was played in good spirits, well controlled by the referee, for which both sides should be commended.  After the match Alan Brown, the Orkney captain and man-of-the-match, was presented with a Quaich for the first match between the two clubs at this level.  Grangemouth hope to build on this relationship by touring Orkney towards the end of the season, when Orkney will be able to return the hospitality shown by Grangemouth, Fritz and his helpers.

The U18 squad which played against Grangemouth last weekend was:

Alan Brown, Andrew Cuddihey, Craig Rendall, Marcus Price, Phillip Ross, Graham Slater, William Thomson, Tom Croy, David Grant, Lee Caithness, Sam Caithness, Fraser Alan, Andrew Taylor, Chris Guthrie, Gary Nicolson, Erlend Grieve, Kyle Harcus, Ewan Gray, Matthew Byres, Eion Donaldson, Alex Bews, Marcus Guthrie. 

The 22-man squad were ably supported by Ian Croy and Rab Muir, without whom the trip could not have gone ahead - many thanks are extended to both for their help.

A good result, but its too early to get caught up in the euphoria of victory as sterner tests lie ahead for this squad, starting with the scheduled away league fixture against Aberdeen Grammar FPs U18s this coming weekend.  Despite the level of the performance throughout the squad there are still areas to be worked on and practiced.  Training last week saw a significant improvement, with over twenty U18s out for both sessions.  As promised this allowed separate sessions. Keep the good work up - training Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at the club – changed and ready to start by 6pm.

The weekends to travel arrangements are as follows: meet at Hatston terminal at 22:30 on Friday 31 August, returning to Hatston on Saturday 1 September, at 23:00.  The team will have been announced at training on Tuesday night.

Kick off 1200 at Rubislaw on Saturday afternoon if any supporters want to come along and cheer the youngsters on.

KNIGHTER

For more photos go to the Midis photos page here.