Match Report | 2nd XV v Caithness 17-2-24

Orkney Rugby Club's second XV suffered a heavy defeat to their counterparts from Caithness, going down 7 - 48 on a blustery but dry afternoon at KGS on Saturday, 17 February 2024.

The sides were deadlocked at 0 - 0 for the first 20 minutes of the game with both teams defending well. Caithness, looked the more threatening only to be let down by some poor handling and some desperate Orkney defence with the try line in sight.

Photos: Orkney Photographic

Orkney did have some bright spells of possession though, with some good carrying by the front row of Connor Crawford, Murray Simpson and Simon Owen, however the home side failed to take advantage of the strong breeze in their favour.

Into the second quarter the Caithness scrum started to dominate and eventually the pressure told with their Number 8 driving over from close quarters leaving an easy conversion to take the lead 0 - 7.

In the backs Ryan Mooney and Jack Paterson made some good runs, but Orkney were losing the battle at the breakdown and were turned over too often, failing to get into any rhythm as a result. Caithness then scored two quickfire tries at the end of the half to bring the score to 0 - 19 at the break.

The second half was one-sided as Caithness used the wind to keep Orkney pinned back in their own half with the increasingly strong breeze making it difficult for the home side to clear their lines. With barely two minutes on the clock Caithness scored again and stretched further ahead on the 50 minute mark to end the game as a contest.

Orkney started to tire and fall off tackles and it was the visitors, who play more regularly, who looked the fitter side scoring once more after several phases on the Orkney line. Orkney's troubles in the scrum continued and this was a constant source of possession for Caithness.

To their credit, Orkney never threw in the towel and were eventually rewarded with a try from captain Bruce Pinkerton after some excellent carrying by Fraser Dowell. Ryan Mooney added the conversion to bring the score to 7 - 36. However, Caithness weren't finished yet and scored twice more to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Despite the result, this was a hard fought game played in good spirits and credit should be given to all the players, especially the Orkney lads who helped make up the number for Caithness.

A.H.