Match Report | Orkney 2nd XV v Caithness 2nd XV 3-6-23

Pickaquoy, Saturday 3 June 2023
Orkney 2nds 53, Caithness 2nds 56

The first game of the day kicked off on the picky outfields at 12 o clock with gray skies and a slight breeze.

The Orkney 2nds team showing off their new match kit kindly sponsored by The Orcadian kicked off to Caithness, after a few phases a knock on lead to the first scrum of the game.

Photo & Video - George Brown

Some strong running from the Caithness centres lead to some good field position for the visitors, a few pick and go’s from the forwards eventfully broke Orkneys defence, first try to Caithness scored by Ali Williams.

The lack of a kicking tee meant Caithness had no other option but take the conversions via a drop kick. The first conversion attempt was missed.

After a strong defence spell from Caithness, Orkneys attack finally prevailed when loose head prop Connor Crawford made a storming run down the centre of the pitch, conversion attempt missed by Bruce Pinkerton.

Orkney were quick to add to their points tally when Murray Simpson caught a loose ball of a Caithness player, with a couple of off loads Simpson found himself again with the ball and barrelled his way over the try line. Conversion missed

Caithness didn’t let their heads go down and responded quickly to a with a try of their own, scored by Ruaridh Mackay. Conversion missed which took the score to 10-10

After some good free flowing rugby by both teams, the next score went to Caithness with Hamish Coghill bashing his way through to bring the score to 10-15. This lead to the end of the first quarter with the game being split into 4 20 minutes.

Orkney started the next quarter with try, a loose Caithness pass was dropped which lead to Andrew Linklater kicking the ball through for Oskar Payne who caught it on the bounce and sprinted between the posts. Conversion scored by Pinkerton.

Orkney started to pile on the pressure which lead to Ryan Arcus intercepting a pass from the Caithness stand off and dotted the ball down in between the posts. Conversion scored by Pinkerton which took the score to 24-15

A quick tap and go from the Caithness pack on Orkneys 5 metre line with unsuccessful conversion attempt took the score to 24-20. Try scored by Hamish Coghill

Caithness clearly had the momentum and started to show off some good rugby. Some nice off loads and lines of running lead to another caithness score. Conversion attempt missed. That brought an end to the first half.

Orkney kicked off again and started the first half well with some strong running in the forwards. Caithness’s defence broke with Bruce Pinkerton braking the line and off loaded the ball to Robert Thomson, unfortunately the ball didn’t find the hands but luckily Thomson was able to kick the ball through for Nicol Harcus to pick up and score Orkneys 5th try of the game. Conversion missed.

Caithness were able to respond well with some slick handling and good ball retention. Some poor Orkney tackling lead to Calum Atherton to score underneath the posts. Conversion attempt successful.

A clearance kick from Caithness which found space in the Orkney back field bounced kindly in favour of Atherton who ran through untouched to score his second try of the game. Conversion missed taking the score to 31-37.

The last quarter of the game begin with the introduction of James Linklater, which added some experience into the Orkney side. He quickly showed his skill with a long pass out to Alan Monkman on the wing. Monkman through a speculative off load to Ryan Arcus who eventually kick the ball ahead for himself and score out on the wing. Conversion missed.

After some end to end rugby, Atherton went over for his hatrick after some good handling by the Caithness backs. Conversion scored by Ruaridh Mackay.

Andrew Linklater then went for a quick tap and go. After a quick ruck Orkney found themselves with space out wide, Craig Brough caught a somewhat dodgy pass by James Linklater and burst through the Caithness tackle attempts to score. Orkney now needed 9 points to draw level. Conversion missed.

Orkney now fighting for the victory scored a long distance try finished off by Craig Brough. Conversion missed

Murray Simpson broke through the defensive line which lead to a back tracking Caithness defence. James Linklater fired a long range pass out to Alan Monkman who galloped over giving Orkney the lead going into the last couple of minutes. Conversion missed.

With the game hanging in the balance Caithness were not giving up. Orkney lost the ball and with some poor Orkney tackling Atherton went over for his 4th try of the game. Conversion missed, this gave Caithness a three point lead.

Caithness managed to hold out for the last couple minutes and eventually kicked the ball off the field bringing an end to a fantastic game of rugby with the final score being 53-56 to the visitors.

Orkney had battled to the very end but just came up short to a strong Caithness side.

Everyone on the pitch had given everything and gave the spectators some great viewing. A massive well done must go to all organisers for all the hard work that has gone into this game. Another thank you must go to the match sponsors for both the 2nds game and the veterans game which kicked off at 3 o clock.

Overall it was a great showing for 2nd team rugby in the north of Scotland. All ages and abilities were on show and everyone gave 100% to make it a thrilling game.

C.H.