For all P6 - Adult agegroup coaches:

Scottish Rugby has produced a resource designed to assist coaches in creating safe and effective scrummagers. The resource will be launched over the next couple of months with workshops across the length and breadth of the country. At the workshop, you will be given a copy of the new resource, as well as shown how to undertake some of the exercises contained within it.

To register for one of the workshops please email Samantha.finlayson@sru.org.uk to book your place. We’re asking coaches to bring along a player. This will allow the player to learn some new things, as well as let the coach practice some of the exercises while getting advice from the workshop tutor. When emailing Samantha, please state your club/school and what age group you coach in.

Further information can be found on the Scottish Rugby Website - http://www.scottishrugby.org/getinvolved/coach-game/scrumready-workshops or download the poster below.

 Applicants should liaise with Bruce Ruthven regarding transport.

The autumn internationals are now upon us and (clashes allowing), the following matches will be shown at the Club: 

    Date         KO          Match            
02/11/2013 14.30 England v Australia 

09/11/2013 14.30 England v Argentina 
09/11/2013 14.30 Scotland v Japan 
09/11/2013 15.00 Italy v Australia 
09/11/2013 17.30 Wales v South Africa 
09/11/2013 17.45 Ireland v Samoa 
09/11/2013 21.00 France v New Zealand 

16/11/2013 14.30 England v New Zealand 
16/11/2013 14.30 Wales v Argentina 
16/11/2013 15.00 Italy v Fiji 
16/11/2013 18.00 France v Tonga 
17/11/2013 15.00 Scotland v South Africa 

22/11/2013 19.30 Wales v Tonga 
23/11/2013 15.00 Italy v Argentina 
23/11/2013 18.00 Scotland v Australia 
23/11/2013 21.00 France v South Africa 
24/11/2013 14.00 Ireland v New Zealand 

30/11/2013 17.00 Wales v Australia 

In addition there is a “Kurry & Kwiz” night at the Club on Saturday 23 November, after the Scotland v Australia match. So pass the word and get your teams together ready for intellectual battle.

Knighter

To date, this season’s internal rugby sessions have been disappointing with only three run a-rounds being achieved in five weeks – and those lucky to achieve 10-a-side on the day. It is not that there are not enough players out there. Over the 3 sessions more than 35 different players have turned out, and with over 50 players already having played first team rugby this season, one would have to question why it is so difficult to get full sides out on a Saturday for an internal match.

To that end, an internal players meeting was held last Saturday, with the emphasis on how individually, collectively and as a Club we could improve the current state of affairs. Refreshingly, rather than focus on finger pointing or casting blame, the group sought to try and find solutions to re-kindle the enthusiasm for internal rugby, and promote the camaraderie for which the sport of rugby union is renowned for. 

Six unconverted tries from Orkney – three in each half – saw off St Andrews University at a rain soaked Pickaquoy on Saturday afternoon, with the bonus-point victory taking Orkney to second in RBS Caledonia League Division 1.

Early sparring was won by Orkney, but without much territorial advantage until the rangy frame of Denis Hayes emerged with the ball and headed out of the Orkney half and upfield through the St Andrews lines and into their 22. Chris Guthrie took the ball on from there and from the next attack a penalty was won and kicked to touch for a lineout 10 metres out. This set up the first try of the match, with Al Watson getting down low to avoid St Andrews tackles and stretch for the line out on the right.

We, the management committee of Orkney Rugby Football Club, wish to publicly declare our unreserved support for the siting of NHS Orkney’s new Health and Wellbeing Campus at the Corse West site. 

The establishment of a unisex, multi-sport, outdoor changing facility, incorporating a new ORFC Clubhouse as well as plans for a new pitch, improved traffic management infrastructure and parking, would not only serve to benefit Orkney's sporting community as a whole, but also the many Pickaquoy Centre users. 

Since the release of more detailed information pertaining to the Corse West site in the media last week, and taking into consideration the associated benefits to the Orkney Rugby Club, we are confident that the majority of the ORFC membership, which is many hundreds, would now support Corse West as the preferred site for the proposed new hospital. 

Orkney Rugby Football Club is certain that, when the NHS Orkney Board meets on Thursday 24th October, each board member will consider all of the proposed sites equitably and make their decisions solely based upon the merits of each site. We also hope that the Board will choose to site any future Health and Wellbeing Campus upon the area which is best suited to benefit of the people of Orkney. 

Kevin Sutherland, Chairman 

It may not go down as the prettiest match to have graced the Pickaquoy infield pitch, but Orkney RFC can be happy that they emerged from Saturday afternoon’s visit of Morgan Academy FP with a bonus point win that – thanks in part to results elsewhere – raised them to third in RBS Caledonia Regional League Division 1.

Conditions were again near perfect for rugby, dry overhead with hardly a breeze and the pitch again in great shape as Orkney began attacking the Peedie Sea end.

Orkney had a few changes to deal with, Denis Hayes having been unlikely due to a hamstring injury after Thursday night’s training session, and then James Linklater ruled himself out on Saturday with a similar complaint. This meant that Kyle Robb was elevated from the bench to start at full back and Graham Poke also started, having not originally been in the squad. Edgar Thomson, who had played in the earlier internal match, was pulled into the squad and impressed as a second half substitute.

It was an overcast day, with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch at Stromness Academy.
The Orkney boys arrived at the school at 1:30, got changed and went out with the plan being to beat Ross Sutherland, who had only brought 13 players. Some of the lads thought it would be an easy win, because they had the advantage of a good size playing squad, but in the end ORFC gave Dylan Evans, a strong prop, to the opposing side along with Ali Bradley, another strong, quick player, across to the team.
The warm up was a bit lacklustre, but the boys were ready for the game overall, which kicked off at half past 2

On Sunday the 6th of October Orkney under 18 team played host to Aberdeen Grammar Rugby in a Caledonia North League fixture.

Orkney kicked off with the assistance of a fresh breeze blowing down the pitch. Play was pinned in the visitors half from the start and with the Orkney forwards showing good control of the ball within three minutes Andrew Linklater had scored a try in the corner. Unfortunately Taylor Pilkington Tait's conversion attempt was well struck but drifted wide in the wind.

A strong turnout of girls was evident at the first training session on Friday which saw twenty nine girls attend a session from club development officer Bruce Ruthven. 
Girls were put through their paces with contacts skills, tackling practices, scrum and line out set piece work and a game. All girls showed huge enthusiasm and worked hard throughout the session. 
The next training will take place on Friday 11th, 3pm-4.30pm at ORFC.
Thanks to Dale Watt, Rachel Orchiston, Erika Sutherland and Fraser McNaughton for their help with the session.

Bruce commented;