A slightly disappointing 10-a-side run out last Saturday for the Penpushers v Workers match, with a few late call offs and a few no-shows taking the numbers down.  However, the conditions were better than expected and those who layered up were soon stripping off trying to cover whole pitch with restricted numbers.

As you would expect there was plenty of gaps to run into with neither side having a back row to cover around the scrums and lineouts, and with only limited backs tackling had to be spot on or players ran through.  Once through despite some valiant cover and chasing back from several players, tries inevitably followed.

Picky - Sunday 21st October 2012

On the main pitch on Sunday at 12:30 Moray kicked off to Orkney. Orkney was dominating play in the first 15 minutes with Orkney forwards Pirie and Stout using their power to ruck out the Moray forwards, this keeping Moray in their own half.

Orkney were unfortunate not to capitalise on this domination, by getting held up over the line on two occasions after strong Orkney forward play and a great driving lineout. But as soon as Moray were able to get hands on the ball, their backs used good hands to run round the Orkney backs and score the first try.

The conversion was missed. 5-0.

Picky- Sunday 21st October 2012
Score – Orkney 20 Moray 7

Orkney U18’s had their third home game of the season last Sunday against Moray at Picky the team was much changed from the side that came so close to upsetting league leaders Highland two weeks before. With 10 players unavailable it gave the chance to some of the guys who had been making up the bench recently to stake a claim for a starting position.

Moray kicked off and straight away Orkney were on the attack keen to take the game to the Elgin side. A well controlled forward push got Orkney up into the opposition 22 but they could not make the telling pass to get over the try line.

Saturday’s weather left some people wondering if it was witty to be playing rugby that afternoon let alone watch this 2nd XV fixture but those who didn’t make it to Pickie missed a rare treat as I and few others witnessed a very fine fast moving game with a lot of skilful play displayed in what turned out to be a decent afternoon with no rain falling during play.

Goose picked two sides which he hoped would be evenly matched and his selection proved spot on as this close encounter finished 55 – 53 for the side playing in the their own dark strips against a very able team in the club’s striped shirts (thus reducing the laundry bill for the club by half as the Dark Side had to wash their ain dirty clobber)

We knew we were in for a treat when both sides scored early following good moves, fine handling and lots of fast moving attacking rugby but as the game progressed there was also some excellent tackling and defensive play as well as good pirating and counter rucking. All very ably refereed by Al Watson and later Sinky (see notes below)

Match Report 6-10-12
Final Score – Highland 8 Orkney 7

The team travelled away to Inverness on Saturday and were keen to continue from their excellent performance in their last game against Aberdeen Grammar. Highland were currently top of the league and unbeaten so it was going to take a huge performance to come away with a win. The team was missing a couple of players but Sean Wood was returning to add his defensive strength to the midfield.

Match Report

On the 6th October Orkney travelled to Highland RFC in Inverness for their next Caledonia North fixture win high expectations of a win with confidence from sitting at the top of the table with 4 from 4.

In recent games Orkney have been plagued by slow starts and this was once again the case. Highland took an early lead within two minutes with an unconverted try after the Orkney players failed to have any intensity at ruck time and then get caught out by slick handling from the highland backs which saw them score in the corner. From the kick off Highland were straight back at Orkney and mounted pressure which led to another quick try. The pressure continued from the Highland team who were very well drilled and used their big experienced players well to score another five tries before half-time.

Half time score 36 – 0.

Mainland 22 - Westray/Isles 38

A strong Westray/Isles side ran out comfortable 38 – 22 winners against a youthful Mainland side on Saturday.

Referee Fraser MacNaughton got the Isles Shield Challenge first leg match got underway just after the scheduled 12 Kick off time, with a tricky breeze, bright and dry above greasy underneath and both sides fielding full fifteens and replacements a keenly contested match was anticipated.

Both sets of forwards looked to keep the ball tight, and the early exchanges saw some strong drives, and equally resilient defence around the ruck. The Westray/Isles squad retained possession slightly better and managed to build several phases eventually creating a gap behind the ruck for Ross Howe to pick up the ball and drive through to find himself unopposed with 20 metres to go, Lee Thomson converted.

The First XV got a league win under their belts with a good second-half display against Mackie Academy FP on a bright but windy Saturday afternoon at Pickaquoy.

Despite having a fair bit of possession in the first half, and rarely being under pressure, the home side failed to get any points on the board as they played towards the Muddisdale end, with Adam Baird’s crash over the line midway through the half judged to have come from a forward pass.

For the most of this opening period it was a bit of a dour midfield battle, with both sides possibly struggling to cope with the strong crossfield wind. It meant the board was still blank when they broke for their half-time team talks.