Match Report | Fraserburgh RFC v Orkney RFC 2nd XV 11-11-23

Orkney 2nd XV travelled south for their first game of the season in a friendly vs Fraserburgh at James Ramsey Park on Saturday 11th November.

The game kicked off with Orkney kicking to Fraserburgh.

Orkney quickly took the game to Fraserburgh with some strong carries from the forward pods, resulting in Ally Amer finding a gap in the Fraserburgh defence scoring Orkney’s first try which was comfortably converted by Ryan Mooney.

Both teams started to get settled in to the game with Fraserburgh making multiple attempts to get in to Orkney’s 22 but loose ball play and strong pressure from Orkney made it hard for their opponents to get a score on the board.

Strong carries from Owen Griffith, Conner Crawford and Craig Stout meant Orkney were in a secure field position which was then able to be shipped to the pace in the backs and with good hands Mooney was able to dive across the line giving Orkney another 5 points - completing his try with a conversion giving Orkney a 14-0 lead.

David Bruce at 9 and Simon Beattie at 10 working together at controlling the speed of the game eventually gave Craig Stout and 2 minutes later Simon Beattie the opportunity to put their names on the score sheet. Mooney able to only convert 1 of the 2 from the kicking spot. 26-0

With one of Fraserburgh forwards receiving a yellow card, Orkney used this to their advantage with Fraser Dowell adding to Orkney’s lead with a try and a Mooney conversion putting Orkney 33-0 going in to half time.

Second half kicked off with Orkney receiving. Fraserburgh looked like they where able to fix some mistakes over the half time break as 5 minutes in they found the try line and put a score on the board with a successful conversion making the score 33-7.

Fraserburgh pushed hard to try get over the try line for a second time but Orkney’s defence on the line held them back for multiple phases. Orkney regained possession and started to work their way up the pitch. Skipper Kyle Robb found himself putting two tries in quick succession following an impressive phase of hands from the back line, both tries once again converted by Mooney. 47-7

After a line out just beyond half way, Orkney once again using the backs to get the ball out to winger Kieran Barclay who juggled the ball thankfully was able to maintain possession and dive across the line for his first try for Orkney - sadly unable to be converted by Mooney. 52-7

Only a few minutes after the last score, strong pod carries from the Orkney forwards set up David Leisk to dive across the line to add to the try scorer list. Mooney’s conversion from a tight angle put Orkney 59-7. But after 5 minutes of play, a high tackle meant Leisk was shown a yellow card and put Orkney down to only 14 men.

Being a man down, Fraserburgh used this to their advantage and pushed in to Orkney’s 22 however Orkney remained strong and dug deep - holding their line, leading to a steal from Jacob Heal to give Orkney possession once more. James Donohoe was able to show his pace with a strong run to get past the Fraserburgh winger and dive across the line for Orkney’s final try of the day. Mooney converted once more putting the score to 66-7 with minutes left to play.

The final whistle was blown and Orkney 2nd XV came out victorious on their first away game of the season with a 66-7 win.

Man of the match went to Prop Owen Griffith.

ORFC would like to thank Fraserburgh for their hospitality and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.

R.Arcus