Match Report | Orkney Dragons v Fraserburgh Ladies

Photo: George Brown

Tennent's Caledonia North Region Women’s League
Pickaquoy - Saturday 22nd January 2022
Orkney Dragons 53, Fraserburgh Ladies 19
Match Video by George Brown (Rohallion)


Orkney Dragons were back in action on Saturday 22 January 2022 after a long break with their last game being on 30 October 2021.

Training resumed in the new year and everyone came back with the batteries recharged and ready to go. Training has been going well and the team were feeling confident, however not complacent as we have not played Fraserburgh before so there was a little feeling of anticipation of the unknown.

Unfortunately Fraserburgh have been struggling to field a team for their away fixtures and it was no different this time. Only travelling with 12 players, there were a couple of options to consider. One was to player match and have a 12v12 game or we could lend 3 Dragons to fulfill a full 15-a-side match. Both teams agreed to have as many players playing rugby as possible and we went with the latter option.

Orkney won the toss and rather choose to receive the kick, they decide to play with the wind on their backs. It has been the best start to a game the Dragons have had, settling well from the start due to structured forward pods and good handling by the backs.

All the tries were scored as team with the forwards doing a great job drawing in the defence allowing the backs to have an overlap on the wings. Play also moved across the width of the pitch, displaying picturesque rugby.

However, Fraserburgh did not give up the fight and capitalised on numerous penalties caused by the Dragons.

There were some powerful runs by Dragons forwards Stacey Tualasea, Joanne Rendall, Naomi Bremner and Nikita Scollie which created the Fraserburgh defence some problems.

Meanwhile the speedy backs of Paige Archibald, Angela Shearer and Donna Wilson left them standing.

The team put into practice the “crash 12” which was executed well by Hannah Cursiter with good support from the forwards. The Backs have been working on the wing channel which proved a success on the day. Overall it was a very strong team performance and a good confidence boost after the defeat of Shetland.

The Dragons would like to acknowledge Fraserburgh for coming up to get the game played. They might not have been at full strength but their future looks promising.

A thank you to Ian Rushbrook for reffing, Craig and Tom for linemen duties, Alison Moore for sponsoring the game and everyone else who makes the day possible.

Try scorers were: Paige Archibald x 2, Joanne Rendall x 2, Stacey Tualasea x 2, Donna Wilson x 1, Nikita Scollie x 1, Angela Shearer x 1.
Conversions: Nikita x 4

Forwards Queen of the Team: Emma Staunton who played consistently well throughout
Backs Queen of the Team: Rebecca Scott who controlled the game well at fly half.
Queen voted by Fraserburgh: Sara Duffy who was strong for both teams

Next up is Peterhead away on Saturday 29 January 2022.

​D.W.