Double delight as Orkney overcome doughty Hillfoots

BT Caledonia League Division 1
Pickaquoy Infield - Saturday, December 6
Orkney RFC 22, Hillfoots RFC 3

Orkney RFC secured another bonus point win - and progressed to the final of the BT Caledonia Shield - beating Hillfoots 22-3 in their double-header at a windy and wet Pickaquoy on Saturday afternoon.

As well as keeping Orkney top of the league on 39 points to Glenrothes on 37, it also handed them a home tie - against Glenrothes - in the Shield final, which will be played on Saturday, February 21.

Two tries in the first half - one taking Al Watson within one try of his 200th, the other from Alan Brown - saw Orkney turn round 10-3 ahead, a Hillfoots penalty their only score.

A third try, from Denis Hayes, inside three minutes of the second half had the well-wrapped home support speculating at an Orkney onslaught as James Linklater's conversion made it 17-3.

However, determined defending and some gutsy play from the visitors ensured that a powerful pushover try, touched down by Alan Brown to complete his brace - and help secure him the man of the match award - in the 48th minute, was Orkney's only further score.

No matter though as, battle they might, the visitors had to content themselves with holding Orkney at bay and the home side ended the game camped in the Hillfoots 22.

This was Orkney's final home fixture of 2014, with away trips to Mackie Academy and Morgan Academy due on December 13 and 20.

RFL