Caley Youth Cup - U16s away v Ross Sutherland & Moray/Huntly 6-3-22

Saltire Energy Caledonia Youth Cup U16 Boys
Pool Matches - Ross Sutherland  v Moray/Huntly v Orkney
Invergordon, 6 March 2022
​
The format of this competition for the North Pool matches are 30 minute matches so Orkney U16s were faced with playing Moray Huntly and Ross Sutherland with both matches played at Ross Sutherland RFC.

An 18 player squad headed over with every player starting at least one of the matches.

Moray Huntly v Orkney

Moray Huntly only had a squad of 13 so the game started with no flankers.

Orkney kicked off and placed Moray Huntly under pressure from the start by pushing them back. Moray Huntly tried to attack but some good defending meant they did not gain much ground. Orkney’s attack was not as slick as usual and mistakes from forwards and backs meant the game did not initially have much fluency. From a Moray Huntly scrum around their own 22 from an Orkney knock on, Christy MacLeod pressurised his opposite scrum half who threw a panicked pass and placed his stand off under pressure. With the ball bouncing around Alex Scarth picked the ball up and strolled in unopposed.

Orkney were still not very fluent in attack but the defensive line meant that Moray Huntly were not creating much in attack. From a following attack around the half way line Alex kicked ahead and the Moray Huntly defence did not collect the bouncing ball cleanly. Tommy Stockan challenged strongly for the ball and again the ball fell kindly for Alex to score. Alex converted the try.

Orkney’s forwards were slow into rucks but dominated the scrums disrupting Moray Huntly and preventing them getting clean ball.

Orkney finally put together a good piece of play with the forwards winning the ball in their own half and the ball being moved by the backs well and giving Brogan Russell some space and he run in from just inside the Moray Huntly half with the despairing defence unable to catch him. Alex converted.

Half time – Orkney 19 – 0 Moray Huntly

At the start of the second half Moray Huntly attacked and looked to pressurise the Orkney back line but Brogan eyed up their passing move and intercepted the ball around the half way line and ran in unopposed for a try to claim the try bonus point. Alex converted.

Moray Huntly then placed Orkney under sustained pressure which Orkney were holding comfortably. Around the Orkney 22 from a ruck Orkney were penalised for being off side. Moray Huntly took a quick tap and reacting quicker than the Orkney defence ran the ball through a few hands to score in the corner.
​
Final score Orkney 26-5 Moray Huntly

Ross Sutherland v Orkney

After a short break Orkney then played against Ross Sutherland. Ross started strongly catching Orkney cold and ran in for the opening score.

Orkney started to play and James Braddock jackled well to steal a ball from a ruck the backs moved the moved well with Tommy playing Alex in for a try.

Orkney started to pressurise Ross more and the forwards did some good drives with Thorfinn Sinclair, Alastair Park, Alfie Copland, William MacDonald and Sammy Laughton all driving well with strong support from Ryan Linklater, Jamesand Declan MacLeod. This set up the backs to attack with Tommy getting close but being held up over the line. From the goal line drop out Orkney kept up the pressure, with Ryan Slater getting close to a try but being stopped by Ross defence. Eventually Orkney played Tommy in for a try. Both tries were converted.

Half time Orkney 14 – 5 Ross Sutherland

After the break with some fresh instructions from the coaches, Orkney produced their best series of plays over both games. The forwards and backs connected with each other well and swept up the pitch with Tyler Wolstenholme being unlucky not to score in the corner. From this pressure Orkney’s forwards played a series of rucks and then William picked a great line and crossed from about 10 metres out with the Ross defence unable to stop him.

Ross tried to attack but Orkney were now on top and dominating the scrums and starting to take control of the rucks. From a line out Euan Knox stole the ball and the backs attacked with the ball being played through a series of hands including Christy, Tommy, Scott Craigie and Angus Brown before Alex was played in to score.

With Orkney now on top and attacking freely Ross’s defence was being stretched and a well worked team try ended up with Tommy scoring and all the tries were converted.

Final score Orkney 35-5 Ross Sutherland

Players Player: 1- Alex, 2 Brogan, 3= Alastair and Tommy
Coaches Player: 1 Brogan, 2 – James, 3 Tyler.

Thanks to Ross Sutherland RFC for their usual excellent hospitality and to the referees for officiating the games well.
Orkney finished 2nd in their group and now face a Cup Quarter final away with the winners of Midlands pool A which is Perthshire.

Team Picture:
Back row (left to right): Alastair Park, Alex Scarth, ThorfinnSinclair, Tommy Stockan, William MacDonald, Alfie Copland, Ryan Linklater, Declan MacLeod, Angus Dougall, Scott Craigie
Front row: (left to right): Euan Knox, Angus Brown, Sammy Laughton, James Braddock, Brogan Russell, Tyler Wolstenholme, Christy Macleod (cpt), Ryan Slater

R.K.