Match Report | Highland U16s v Orkney U16s 10-12-23

Highland U16 v Orkney U16 (7-33)
Inverness, Sunday 10th December 2023

Orkney are on the road again on another boat and bus journey but not quite as long as the last game. The game being played on 4G pitch. Orkney started brightly after reading the kick from Highland.

They took the ball into the opponent’s half but discovered they were going to be on the end of some strong charging runs from the Highland number 8. A bit of nip and tuck back and forth and the ball was passed to Captain Michael Scarth who was tackled and in process twisted his knee and had to limp off the pitch early in the game, replaced by Taylor Gibson who slotted in at number 8.

Inspiresports Boy’s U15/U16 (combined) Caledonia (North) Club League

Alfie Price showed good intent and was sharp by closing down his opposite number. Orkney were camped in the 22 the scrum and line outs were working well. Highland was struggling to get out and good pressure on the defence led to a fumble which Ronan Hamilton picked up and dived over from 4 yards and then converted his own try.

Unfortunately, this lead was short lived with a few minutes later Orkney giving away a penalty and Highland taking the line out on the 5 metre line, scrum to Highland which led to a try and conversion for them.
This was going to be no easy game.

From the restart Highland had a few surging runs but Orkneys defence stood strong, they’ve got a good platform through a couple of hands to Murray (Rhino) Robertson who ran from just on the 22 to fly over the line. Ronan Hamilton converting.

From Highlands restart, Murray Robertson had another good surging run sending a few Highland boys flying, knocked forward and a Highland scrum allowed them to clear. The Orkney boys were digging in well and a couple of times punished harshly. With some good play back and forth from both sides it ended 7-14 at half time.

Orkney kicked off the second half, with Highland running the ball straight back at Orkney showing good hands and looking dangerous. Orkney were going to have to be on their toes. A late tackle gave a penalty to Highland which didn’t progress further.

Balfour Norquoy was showing some strong running maybe at a strange angle! Highland put Orkney under pressure, but Zander Baillie managed to clear the lines at his second attempt. Orkneys scrummaging was giving the Highland boys no rest at all, not once did Orkneys scrum go back.

Ronan kicked from his own half into Highland 22 resulting in a Highland line out which they fumbled, and Taylor Gibson was quick to pick up and over the line.

Highland were back in Orkneys 22 practically on the try line ball was fed out but a knock on gave the scrum to Orkney, Ronan Hamilton’s trusty boot cleared the line, the ball was fed to Highlands big number 8 but unfortunately for him he ran into Murray Robertson & Owen Spence who drove him back much to the delight of the small number Orkney spectators.

Matthew Meason replaced Lewis Moncrieff, Ashton Sutherland replaced Jack Doyle and Hunter Swanney replaced Jason Buchan. A squint throw in line out gave the scrum to Orkney who were still stuck in their own 22 on the 5-metre line, they seemed to have some trouble getting out.

Michael McGee came off and Taylor Gibson moved to centre, Ian Moar replaced Owen Spence on the flank and Owen Spence stepped into 8. A good kick through from Ronan Hamilton and chase from Hunter Swanney gave Orkney a scrum on Highland 5 metre line a pickup by Owen Spence at the back of the scrum was just short and a knock on gave the scrum to Highland, a knock on from Orkney then gave Highland a scrum.

Orkney put Highland under pressure on their 22 and the scrum still working well through the hand and legs to Ashton Sutherland with an acrobatic throw to Ronan Hamilton and it was another touchdown and converting his own try.
Zander Baillie came off and was replaced by Thorfinn Thomson Niall Campbell came on the wing and Ashton moved to centre to replace Jack Innes. A scrum in our own 22 was passed to Ashton Sutherland who ran it in to score Under the posts and was converted by Ronan Hamilton


Final score 7-33.

Orkney were outstanding as a team, with the journey travelling and not long off the bus before kick-off to come out and perform the way they did and on 4G was fantastic. They played the game in true rugby spirit. This win against Highland has meant victory of the Inspiresport Boy’s U15/U16 Caledonia North Club League with one game left to play on 17th December against Caithness.


All the lads who come to training are all a credit to Orkney RFC and the coaches could not be prouder of each and every one of the U16’s. Thanks once again to Northlink for their sponsorship and service.

Players player – Murray Robertson
Coaches player – Scott Sinclair, Alfie Price & Murray Robertson

S.S.


Team photo, Back row L-R:
Darren McGee, Ronan Hamilton (VC), Balfour Norquoy, Michael McGee, Michael Scarth(C), Murray Robertson, Zander Baillie, Ian Moar, Sean Corrigall, Taylor Gibson, Tom Hamilton, Lewis Moncrieff, Ben Sinclair, Matthew Meason, Niall Campbell, Graeme Rammage, Trevor Spence.
Front row L-R
Finlay Daintith, Stewart Spence, Jack Innes, Owen Spence (VC), Scott Sinclair, Jack Doyle, Thorfinn Thomson, Jason Buchan, Hunter Swanney, Ashton Sutherland, Alfie Price, Lucy Flett.