Match Report | Edinburgh University v Orkney Dragons 4-3-23

Women’s National Plate
Edinburgh, Saturday 4 March
Edinburgh Uni 3s 19, Orkney Dragons 61

The Orkney Dragons travelled to Peffermill Sports Complex in Edinburgh to compete against Edinburgh Uni 3s.
The weather conditions were perfect for playing rugby, the pitch was in good condition and the Dragons were on fire.
The Dragons were on the scoresheet very quickly and that set precedence for the game.

The structure was the best it’s been for the Dragons with focus on pods set off the fly half which spread the play nice and wide. Stacey Tualasea and Nikita Scollie carried the ball well throughout with Stacey scoring 3 tries and Nikita 4 tries respectfully.

The Dragons attacking play was strong however a few tweaks needed in defensive for future games. Defence was a bit on the narrow side and Edinburgh’s number 8, who was a strong ball carrier broke through the defensive line several times. The team got complacent and reaction to line breaks could have been better but after a coaches talk from Sean Rendall Corrigall, the Dragons did not concede any tries in the second half.

The Dragons tries were scored as a team performance. Play distributed from side to side with half backs Charlene Nicolson and Donna Wilson linking the forwards and backs well.

Aleisha Womack got 2 tries by weaving her way through players and the second try being executed by a set DSP, dummy scissors pop, move to under the posts.

The forwards were dominant in both the line outs and scrums getting a lot of turnover balls. The Edinburgh side had 5 new caps and this worked the Dragons favour.

The Dragons had flanker Jess Payne return who played like a warrior and inside centre Hannah Cursiter made powerful ‘crash’ runs from line outs both players gaining ground.

Nikita Scollie converted 8 of the 9 tries bringing the score to 61-19 for the Dragons.

Overall it was a great team performance, it was a fast paced game, support play was good, attacking play was strong, the rucks were well formed, communication was clear and concise and this victory sets the team up nicely for a home fixture against Kirkcaldy on Sunday 12 March 2023 at 9.30am.

Forwards Queen of the Team: Nikita Scollie
Backs Queen of the Team: Aleisha Womack
Opposition Player: Stacey Tualasea

D.W.