MATCH REPORT | Caithness Krakens v Orkney Dragons 8-10-22

Tennent's Caledonia North Region Women’s League
Millbank, Thurso - Saturday 8th October 2022
Caithness Dragons 0, Orkney Dragons 43

​The last two games the Orkney Dragons have suffered heavy defeats. A team get together and chat with training focusing on areas for improvement, definitely paid off.

Photo L-R, Back row: Peyton Dunnett, Nikita Scollie, Stacey Tualasea, Marion Ratier, Ami Garriock, Ali Marwick, Katie Allison, Emma Staunton, Anna Campbell, Don Tualasea
Front row: Demi Dunnett, Ailsa Drever, Ariana Tualasea, Skye Taylor, Donna Wilson (c), Hannah Cursiter (vc), Rebecca Scott, Laura Baillie, Charlene Nicolson, Angela Shearer

Commitment to training has been well attended, coaches have focused on particular areas and now it was time to put into practice these improvements.

The Dragons made their way across to face Caithness Krakens, the second time these teams meet with the Dragons winning the first fixture.

It is noted that the Dragons take time to settle into a game. Therefore a change of approach to the warm up meant the Dragons were more switched on and in the game from the starting whistle.

The Dragons won the toss and chose to receive the kick. The ball was caught and carried into contact by the forwards. Within approximately 90 seconds, a backs moves between centres and captains Hannah Cursiter and Donna Wilson, created an overlap to release full back Angela Shearer to run three quarters of the pitch to score the opening try.

This great start for the Dragons was just the beginning.

At the restarts, forwards Stacey Tualasea, Laura Baillie and Anna Campbell made good ground carrying the ball up to the Krakens ‘22.

Hannah Cursiter, scored 2 tries in quick succession. The forwards put pressure on the Kraken attack, backing them further into their ‘22. Good game reading allowed Hannah to get an interception to score her first of three.

Play continued in a structured manner and the team adapted well to changes in the game. Hannah was on the scoresheet again with a powerful run to the try line.

The game settled and the Dragons maintained possession for large spells of the game.

However it wasn’t long before the Dragons were over the try line again. An Orkney scrum saw an ‘overload’ move where stand off, Rebecca Scott observed the Krakens defence and made use of the blind side scoring a try with support from Stacey and Charlene Nicolson.

The Dragons continued this momentum but also had missed opportunities. Recognising the need to refocus slightly, the second half ended with a hat trick from Hannah.

The second half started with the Krakens responding to the Orkney pressure. Krakens Shauna Malcolm and Hazel Stewart made some good ball carries breaking through the Orkney defence.

The Dragons got a bit complacent and with a break in play, meant the team could get back on track and that they did.

The ball was 5 meters, in the Kraken’s possession, from the try line and with some confusion from the Krakens, Rebecca got a cracking interception and placed the ball over the line.

The last try of the game was a combined effort by the forwards. They gained ground up the pitch by working together which allowed Skye Taylor to power over the line.

Unfortunately the game was suspended at 61 minutes due to injuries in the Caithness camp. The Dragons were keen to continue following game on principles but it was not to be.

A final score, inclusive of 4 conversions by Nikita Scollie, was 43-0 to Orkney Dragons.

The Dragons bounced back from previous defeats playing their best game yet. A collective team performance with the forwards being strong, drawing in the opposition and protecting the rucks well, allowed the backs, whose timing and handling was on the mark, to finish the play. What stood out the most was the vast improvement with everyone’s tackling, an area which has been worked on during training.

A very clean performance and massive thanks to Don Tualasea for coaching us on the day.

Forwards Queen of the Team: Anna Campbell
Backs Queen of the Team: Hannah Cursiter
Player voted by opposition: Stacey Tualasea

The next game is against Aberdeenshire Quines at home on Sunday 16 October 2022 at 12.30pm, Picky.

D.W.