Mackie Academy U18s v Orkney RFC U18s 16-11-13

Caledonia North Under 18 Division
Redcloak, Stonehaven - Saturday 16th November 2013
Final Score: Mackie Academy FP 48, Orkney 24

Orkney players travelled to Stonehaven to face tough opposition in top of the table Mackie Academy on Saturday. The Orkney team knew that with only 14 players able to travel it would be a hard fought match.

The conditions were perfect for running Rugby and Mackie got on the scoreboard early with a try after six minutes. The conversion in front of the posts was missed. Mackie were then forced to defend as Orkney applied pressure but an unfortunate bounce from a Mackie kick resulted in Mackie scoring under the posts. This time the conversion was successful.

Once again Orkney replied to the try with some determined play with forwards David Porteous and Duncan Gray making good ground. Mackie’s carelessness in loose play, combined with Orkney pressure led to a penalty in the Mackie half. Taylor Pilkington Tait subsequently secured Orkneys first points with an impressive kick into the wind and low winter sun.

Mackie players had a reply in their winger, who used his team’s man advantage in the back line to find a space and finish under the posts. The conversion once again came good. With the score at 19 to 3 the game seemed to be slipping away from Orkney. 
Once again Mackie used their momentum and man advantage effectively and scored despite good Orkney tackling. Orkney gritted their teeth and defended hard, with good tackling by debutant Evan Ward and Cameron McConnachie, this eventually led to a well struck penalty from distance by Taylor giving Orkney a boost before half time.

Mackie came straight back with another try bringing the score to 34-6 at the break.

Mackie opened the scoring in the half after two minutes, with good use of the overlap, the try was not converted.  Despite the score Orkney rallied well and won a penalty near half way and once again impressively kicked by Taylor Pilkington Tait. Good work by Orkney forwards sucked in Mackie players and then simple passing and a good run down the wing by Paul Muir brought Orkney their first try. The difficult kick was narrowly missed by Taylor.

Orkney were nonetheless heartened by the score and a speculative punt from midfield and a slight mistake by the Mackie fullback gave centre Cammy McConnachie a golden chance to score, which he took well. The on-form Taylor converted the try bringing the score to 36 to 24.

Orkney showed great resolve and team spirit to come back into the game with a man down. Mackie needed to dig deep in order to end the period of Orkney response. Towards the end of the match the extra man advantage was taking its toll on the Orkney players and Mackie took advantage, with two tries and a conversion to close out the game. 

Final score: 48-24.

Orkney man of the match was Taylor Pilkington Tait in part for his excellent kicking.

Thanks go to Evan Ward who stepped up to help the team and had a good depute, and also to Les Howard and Bruce Pilkington for organising the trip and making the game possible for the Orkney boys.

Match report by Joey Fischler