The first half began with both teams looking fairly even, Orkney scoring the first try with Kinross replying with 2 tries and 1 conversion in quick succession. Orkney showed some good skills and support throughout the whole team. Another try and conversion coming to Orkney making the score equal. Through good passing and excellent rucking Orkney scored another try making the half time score 17-12 to Orkney. Orkney came back out the stronger team with lots of strong carries and making ground to secure another try and conversion within 5 minutes. Orkney were really showing true grit and determination at this point to keep progressing. There were some good quick runs from Kinross that were stopped with exuberant tackling from Orkney. Orkney scored two more tries and 1 conversion before Kinross got a try near the end of play making the final score 36-17. Coaches are very proud of all the squad they have been a fantastic group of lads. To the players on the pitch, the lads on the bench as well as the lads who didn’t make selection. They all contributed to this squad getting to the final and securing the win! Tries - Owen Spence 3, Balfour Norquoy 2, Finlay Flett 1. Conversions - Thorfinn Thomson 3. Players player- Owen Spence Coaches player - the whole squad U16s Photo, Back row L-R Jack Innes, Joel Hamilton, Sonny Wise, Joe Thomson, Balfour Williamson, Orrin Dick, Halcro Tait, Niall Campbell, Kaelan Spence, Thorfinn Thomson, Thomas Corrigall, Wilbur Bremner, Dylan Squire, Jamie Milne. Front row L-R Ran Jackson, George Shearer, Scott Slater, Balfour Norquoy, Owen Spence, Finlay Flett, Magnus Montgomery, Matthew Meason, Ruari Wood, Rory MacInnes
We were meant to have played Gordounstown but due to a planning issue on their part, they were unable to compete.
The SRU awarded Strathmore the chance to compete in the bowl final, much to Orkney’s delight as we had a score to settle from previous finals. The weather was dry yet windy, the kind of weather that we are used to. You could feel the tension and nervous energy in the air from all the teams competing, for all of teams including ourselves, finals day was the culmination of a long season with the potential to gain silverware. I think the coaches were more nervous than the players!! Bruce Sinclair gave one of his rousing speeches to the boys before kick off as he has done so many times before, to get them inspired and up for the challenge. They stepped onto the field ready for war and war was they got. Strathmore were also ready to wage battle with Orkney. From the first whistle both teams were going full throttle, looking for ways to get through each other’s defences to get points on the board. When it was scrum time on the first occasion of the match, the Strathmore boys thought they would have had the edge with the noticeable size difference, however the front row of Finlay Daintith, James Braddock and Murray Robertson, more than held their own, this backed up with the size and determination of Ben Sinclair and Lewis Moncrieff in the second row with the relentlessness of Cameron Boyd, Tom Hamilton and Sammy Laughton in the back row, Orkney had more than enough compete and dominate at times, especially at pivotal points of the game. First blood was to go to Strathmore at the 12-minute mark after a relentless barrage of phases, they got a try with a conversion too but Orkney were not to be deterred as we battered their defence and 5 minutes later, Mikey McGee popped the ball out to Zander Baillie to crash through and get the U18s first try of the day. Strathmore were not slow in their hunt for more points scoring a try within 5 minutes… which Orkney would not stand for and we came looking for points and Cameron Boyd was in the right place at the right time when the ball popped out of the ruck and he scooped it up to get another try. Orkney pulled ahead with another try scored by Tom Hamilton. The wind played havoc with the kicking resulting in no conversions so far. Just before half time, Strathmore managed to rumble over our line to take the lead again. 17-15 to Strathmore at half time. After the break at half time, both teams got ready to fight for the glory. Our boys had the wind in their face in this half so their work was cut out for them. Strathmore again were on the attack and came away with a try and conversion a few minutes into the second half. Orkney had to dig deep and soon enough, we were in their 22 and through a great display of through-the-hands, the 9 got the ball out to the backs were it ended up with Jason Buchan to score and George Wylie to put the ball over for conversion. Only 2 points separated the teams at this point. Orkney had a renewed sense of vigour and were starting to dominate the game, the backs were pulling off moves and switches, the forwards were crashing into the Strathmore defence, the 9 was getting that ball were it needed to be. It was all coming together for the lads and Strathmore were on the backfoot. Thorfinn Scott made an amazing interception in our 22 and he got as far as their 22 to keep on the pressure. Dylan Price had to be taken off for Orkney after he sustained a serious ankle injury. When play resumed, Orkney had a penalty and the ball got out to Murray Robertson to put another try over the line. Orkney were now controlling this game. We had the lead and had near 10 minutes left. It was tense but Thorfinn Scott eased our worries when he scored a try with Zander getting the conversion. Orkney kept the ball now and rumbled up the pitch. Soon enough, the final whistle went and Orkney came away winners with a score of 34-24. What a way to finish off a fantastic season. A much-deserved trophy for all the work that they have put into becoming such a successful team. League winners, Bowl winners and National cup finalists is quite the feat but no better team to do it. We, the coaches, are so proud of all the work these lads have put into this season. They are a credit to the club, their parents and Orkney. They played with all the determination and skill that they have used all season. That match was also the end of a lot of youth competition rugby for players that are now ready to move up to senior rugby so let me wish Angus Dougall, James Braddock, Sammy Laughton, Dylan Price, Thorfinn Scott, Kyle Kinghorn, Finaly Waterson, George Wylie and Ruari Towrie all the best when they make the move to the men’s teams. Some of these lads have gone all the way from rookies to U18s, one of them started training when he was 3… so it is great to see players growing into the young men they are now! And it was also the conclusion of Bruce Sinclair’s coaching days as he steps away from youth rugby so what a way to finish his years of youth rugby. He too has been training some of these lads since rookies and minis when he was out at West training so he has been at the side of some of the players their whole time in youth rugby. He will be a great miss at the side of the pitch with his rousing speeches to get the squad fired up before a match and his dedication to the game & the players. I am sure that we will see him around though. We, the coaches, players and parents as well as the club are grateful for all his dedication over the years. Man of the match: Thorfinn Scott Photo, Back row L to R - Darren McGee, Angus Dougall, Ben Sinclair, Lewis Moncrieff, Zander Baillie, Murray Robertson, Mikey McGee (VC), Finlay Waterson, Ruari Towrie, George Wylie, Kyle Kinghorn, Jeff Dougall, Bruce Sinclair, Sean Corrigall Front Row L to R - PJ McGrath, Finlay Daintith, Jason Buchan, Cullen Dick, James Braddock (C), Ashton Bruce, Ian Moar, Tom Hamilton, Thorfinn Scott, Cameron Boyd, Sammy Laughton (VC) D.M. Comments are closed.
|
News Categories:
All
Contacts & Location
Club Shop
Calendar
Archives
April 2025
|
RSS Feed
Main Club Sponsor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINI DIARY
|
TWITTER
|
FACEBOOK
|
|
© Orkney RFC, Pickaquoy, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1RR Tel: 01856 872163 |
|
|
|