Match Report | Orkney Dragons v Stornoway Ladies 26-10-19

Tennent's Women's Caledonia North League (Stage 2)
Pickaquoy - Saturday 26th October 2019
Orkney Dragons 19, Stornoway Ladies 5

After successfully securing second place in the Tennent’s North Region League (East), the Orkney RFC Women’s side faced their first match of the league split on Saturday 26 October. The match saw the Orkney Dragons meet Stornoway RFC Ladies for the first time, with the ‘fear of the unknown’ undoubtedly bringing both nerves and excitement to the pitch. Both teams ditched their club socks and there was a pink theme all round with linesmen, supporters, players and the referee donning pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month for CLAN.

The match kicked off at 1pm, with some difficult weather conditions making the ball rather slippery from the onset. With Orkney playing into the wind in the first half, they battled hard to keep the ball in their possession and away from the ball hungry Stornoway ladies. The scoring was opened by a determined Jen Scott, who ran a hard line from a breakdown and secured the first 5 points for the home team.

With only 2 minutes to go until half time, a Dragon on Dragon collision saw two key players from the Orkney side reluctantly being taken off the pitch and making a trip to A&E with head injuries. This did not stifle the attitudes of the team though, and with several substitutions and positional changes at half time the Dragons were back in the zone.

The second half was opened with a fierce breakthrough from Emmerleigh Smith, and after fighting off tackles and sprinting almost half the length of the pitch an unfortunate knock-on brought it back to a 5 metre scrum. Determination from the forwards saw Orkney regain possession, and Sandra Davey touched down the second try of the game perfectly between the posts. This was successfully converted by Shaynee Moar.

Stornoway battled hard, and were not willing to go home without points on the board. Using their speed and skills from the backs they gained ground, and their forwards then pushed the Dragons into their own 22. It was then that they continued to push the Dragons back, and secured their first try of the game taking the score to 12 – 5.

The Dragons accepted this challenge though, and a combination of aggressive forwards play and careful handling from the backs saw Orkney at the right side of the pitch again. Drawing the defence in, Jen Scott spotted a gap and scored her second try of the game. With another successful conversion by Shaynee Moar, the final score was left at 19-5.

Queen of the team votes this week went to winger Ali Marwick, who tackled anything in her path on Saturday and forward, Sandra Davey who consistently gives everything to the game! Thanks again to match day sponsor Bryan Laughton from Main Street Properties and our Dragon Mascot Morven Brown, who both braved the rain and wind to support us for our final home game of the league this season. Next weekend the Orkney Dragon’s travel away to face Shetland for a third time this season.

P.A.