Bitter defeat for Orkney at the hands of Dumfries Saints

Orkney have lost out 14-19 to Dumfries Saints at a bitterly cold and windy Pickaquoy this afternoon.

With the northerly wind in their faces in the first half, Orkney took an early lead with a try from Graham Poke, which he converted himself. However, the visitors replied with an unconverted try and a penalty to lead 7-8 at half time.

Dumfries Saints went further ahead with another penalty early in the second half, but it was the next penalty that they kicked for goal that proved most controversial in the match.

The kick went wide of the right post and the linesman's flag on that post rightly stayed down, but somehow the referee decided it was in and the three points went on the board to make it 7-14.

This had the home support and the Orkney players incensed and it wasn't long before Orkney drew level with a try from Darren McLean, converted well from wide on the left touchline by Jon Tait.

Orkney couldn't build on this though and Dumfries replied - at the second time of asking - with an unconverted try (the conversion was too far off target for any doubt).

​With the clock running down Orkney needed inspiration to salvage something now. Instead they continued to give away penalties and Dumfries were happy to see the clock out and celebrate a hard-fought win in harsh conditions.

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