Match Report: Highland v Orkney 3-2-18

BT National League Division 3
Canal Park, Inverness - Saturday 3rd February 2018
HIGHLAND RFC 22, ORKNEY RFC 7

​​Orkney kicked off on a 4G pitch.  Orkney pressure to start with, good clearing kick from the stand off. Highland kick to touch. Orkney took a fantastic quick line out, Scott Rendall stopped just short of the line. Highland then had a good breakthrough the middle again stopped short and a good clearance kick from James Linklater relieved the pressure.

Orkney then had a good break through the middle with a chip kick from James Linklater and a great catch but was then knocked on,  Highland put the ball into the air followed by a take and drive by their number 8 to score however the ref missed the players crossing and distracting play. 13 scored the conversion 7-0.

Highland put pressure on Orkney's defence with a good kick to the corner which bounced awkwardly and allowed their number 14 to carry over the line.  The conversion was missed 12-0.
There was a tremendous tackle from Scott Rendall who stopped the man in his tracks from a quick penalty.  Craig Slater had a brilliant covering tackle which induced an injury. 

The ref then blew for half time 12-0.

In the second half a penalty advantage to Highland who took a quick tap (which was not through the correct place) he then carried it over the line did not ground it properly and was still awarded a try no conversion 17-0.  James Linklater then came off and Andy Linklater came on with Graham Poke filling in at 10. 

The next play was a kick over the top collected by the number 8 and bundled over the line 22-0.  Kyle Robb then came off replaced by Steven MacPhail.  Gary Nicolson then broke the line at pace and was just caught!  Orkney were camped on the Highland line for a long time. 

Danny Bain reached out and touched the ball down on the line however this again was disallowed.  James Thorburn came off and David Bruce came on at 9 with Danny Bain moving into the back row.  Gary Nicolson then came off replaced by Derek Robb. 
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​Aly Linklater then burst the line with speed and pace but again the Ref did not give the try saying it was held up. Orkney then regrouped and Craig Slater went over the line at the right hand side of the posts Danny Bain then dropped kicked the conversion 22-7 two minutes later the final whistle blew final score 22-7.