Ellon U16s 7 - Orkney U16s 24

Ellon U16s 7 - Orkney U16s 24
Saturday 3rd November 2012

Orkney travelled down on the Friday night boat to Aberdeen followed by a half an hour bus journey to Ellon RFC. Orkney had high expectations after a comfortable win at home to them earlier in the season and due to what the thought was a strong squad with some small changes to the starting team from last week.

The game kicked off around 12:30 on a crisp, clear wintery morning. It was a very even first 20 minutes with both teams playing for territory, Ellon came out better though winning a scrum 5 meters out on the right touch line and scoring in the left corner. This was then converted. Orkney bounced back straight away with a 5 meter scrum which saw Chris Munson do an Number “8” pick and successfully dive over the line to score, conversion missed. (7-5)

Straight from the kick off Orkney had great pressure and lead to TPT running down the blind side to complete a great run with another 5 points in the corner, the conversion was missed. (10-7). After the kick off the game was very even in the middle of the pitch, Orkney got a penalty on the 22 which Mark Sinclair took quickly and passed it to Chris Munson who bashed over the line and TPT made the conversion to make it 17-7 to Orkney going into half time.

The second half was played in the middle of the pitch for the first 20 minutes until Ellon made a break but Sam Croy made a great tackle from the side which was turned over by Craig Russell and then Munson ran the pitch and handed off two in the progress and went under the posts which was successfully converted by Craig Russell who had been running strong and breaking tackles all game! 24-7 to Orkney. Sam Croy communicated in the back line keeping the boys steady asTaylor was off with an ankle injury. The game finished with Orkney winning 24-7, great performances by Mark Sinclair who broke through lots of tackles and Orrin Frazer with great rucking and ball stealing. James Nicolson had a great game after having to adapt to different positions throughout the game. Overall Orkneys Performance was one of the better this season and there looking to improve on it.

Coach Bruce Ruthven commented;

“The boys played very well as a squad today with everyone showing strong determination and a good attitude to earn a hard fought victory.  Ellon were fully expecting to have a win but could not break down the Orkney defence which in an area that has been worked on in training so all credit to the boys.  A large squad of twenty two boys were on the trip which shows good strength and depth despite in being October Holidays.”

Match report by Craig Russell and Sam Croy