1st XV Match Report: Glasgow Accies v Orkney 7-10-17

Photo: John O'Fee

​BT National League Division 3
NEW ANNIESLAND,  Saturday 7th October 2017
​GLASGOW ACCIES 64, ORKNEY 12

64-12 sounds like a hammering for Orkney Rugby Club today and, in some senses of the phrase, it was, but it seemed far from that for those of us on the touchline during the match.

There can be no doubt our boys lost to very fit and well coached opponents but they played with a commitment and courage of which Orkney can be proud.

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At half-time the score was only 19-7 against Orkney as Bale scored a try in the 26th minute which Graham Poke converted, a respectable showing by a team who were playing together for the first time as a formation and with some players who were only just coming back into contention after injury

In addition the pitch was greasy and the ball was like a bar of soap as the damp surface played its part in determining the result.

In the second half Scott Rendall added another try in the 71st minute as the Orkney attack bulldozed over the opposition and over the line and we lost with dignity and respect. The Accies captain told me afterwards “that was the best scrum we have played against this season” and one of their Committee men was quoted as saying “Orkney were one of the best drilled teams we have come across and to be honest, the score flattered Glasgow”

It was a great game to watch as there was fast flowing rugby on view from both sides, and it was good to be able to shout on our own team who were so committed. While there was recognition that getting a result was out of our control, to hear the team talk under the posts about going for another two tries and taking away at least a bonus point from this game showed a positive resolve. And to see Garry Coltherd late into the match clean out two of their defenders and leave good ball for our scrum half, David Bruce, to set up yet another attack, was very pleasing.

In the end we lost and so the next 4 games which are against our nearest rivals at the bottom of the National League 3 become particularly vital. But we showed dignity and courage and a positive resolve that suggests we can get ourselves out of this predicament and preserve our National League 3 status, as long as we are well supported by our loyal Orkney supporters and the players step up once again to the plate in the way today’s squad did.

So come out to support your team next Saturday 14 October, when they take on Dalziel, and be proud of the way our team played today.

As a footnote to this report people may be interested in reading below the Chairman’s Welcome in the Glasgow Accies programme which said –
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"It is my pleasure to welcome one of Scottish Rugby’s most committed clubs. You hear that clubs say it is such a long way to travel, but the rest of us do this journey once a year, let’s remember that Orkney have to do it every other week. So I offer the clubs gratitude to Orkney players and supporters that have made the journey today.
I am sure we are all looking forward to a good match with plenty of flowing rugby and a spectacle that the supporters will enjoy”

He was dead right in what he said, it was a great day out and Accies were great in the way they looked after our squad and our supporters and we look forward to repaying their hospitality when they visit Orkney on 27 January 2018. 

I.C.