Match Report | Orkney v Gordonians 6-5-23

Tennent's National League Division 3
Pickaquoy - Saturday 6 May 23
Orkney RFC 40, Gordonians RFC 22

On Saturday 6th May 2023 Orkney Rugby senior men’s team welcomed the recently crowned league champions Gordonians to Pickaquoy for their final league game of the 2022/2023 season.

Orkney would be looking to lay down a marker for next season having secured National three status. Gordonians conversely would be looking to finish in winning style having shown great consistency throughout the season to lift the league title.

The reverse fixture in Aberdeen was a one-sided affair after Orkney travelled with a reduced squad due to unavailability and injury. The Orkney team for this tie having a much more familiar look about it and a big powerful pack with Gray, Corrigall, Nicolson and Kansour all in the mix. However experienced players Tait, Linklater and Ross all missed out due to injuries picked up at the previous week’s sevens tournament.

The weather conditions for the game consisted of a strong wind blowing across the pitch but dry overhead. The pitch itself had dried up since the previous home game and underfoot conditions were good. This is testament to Ewan Mackenzie and his staff who have had a constant battle with cold wet weather throughout the winter.

Gordonians commenced the game kicking towards the Wideford end of the pitch. Orkney fielded well and carried hard looking to find their rhythm early in proceedings. This took them in to the Gordonians half, but a handling error led to a Gordonians scrum.

Orkney though showed their forward power and forced a penalty. Orkney kicked to touch inside the visitors 22m area. The catch and drive by Orkney was disrupted and a scrum awarded to Gordonians who looked to clear their lines. This broke down and Orkney went back on the attack, the ball being played wide to Donohoe on the right wing. He was stopped short, and the ball recycled quickly and fed by Thomson to Scott Rendall who powered over for the first try. Hancock adding the extras.

From the restart it was Gordonians who took the game to Orkney big ball carriers making ground into the Orkney half before looking to use their backline and exploit the wide areas. Thomson was penalised for handling in the ruck and Gordonians forwards carried hard. The ball was recycled quickly and fed along the backline. The fullback came into the line and drew the last Orkney defender before feeding his winger to go in for the try in the right corner. Despite the strong wind their kicked added the conversion.

Twelve minutes gone and the score was tied. Both sides looking threatening when they controlled their possession although this was proving difficult through a combination of wind and aggressive defence.

The next twenty minutes was predominantly played between both twenty-two metre lines, neither side retaining possession long enough to create any meaningful pressure.

It was Gordonians who would break this impasse. From a scrum near the halfway line the ball was played to the left winger who managed to get on the outside of his opposite number. He then showed great pace to score an unconverted try in the corner.

On the stroke of halftime Gordonians were awarded a rather fortunate try. From a scrum to the visitors the ball was played to the right winger popping up in midfield. He failed to control the ball and it went forward on to the back of an Orkney player, the winger regathered the ball whilst still in the air and showed good pace and footwork to dot down over the try line.

The Orkney players looked stunned feeling with good reason play should have been brought back for a knock on. Once more the conversion was missed, and the whistle blew for half time.

The half time score 7-17 in favour of the league champions.

Orkney although matching the visitor’s physicality, having the edge in the scrum, and retaining their own lineout ball had failed to create constant pressure in the Gordonians half.

On the one occasion early in proceedings when they did a try was scored. Orkney would look to rectify this in the second half, Conversely Gordonians would be looking to push on and close the game out.

It was Orkney who started the second half brighter. After turning over a Gordonians lineout the forwards went to work. Hard carries by Nicolson, Gray and Brough coupled with quick rucking compressed the defence. The ball then played wide along the backline. Russell hit a gap and fed winger Guthrie to go in for the try. Hancock unable to add the conversion from out wide.

With the bit now firmly between their teeth Orkney were starting to find their rhythm and causing all sorts of problems for the visitors. Their next try coming shortly after once more hard running and quick ball creating space out wide for Guthrie to score his second try converted by Hancock.

From the restart Gordonians secured possession in the Orkney twenty-two. However strong defence turned the ball over and Orkney went on the attack again showing good interplay between backs and forwards.

This took play up to halfway where quick ruck ball was fed from Thomson to Hancock who found Nicolson roaming wide. He drew the last defender and passed to Donohoe in space who outsprinted the cover to score a wonderful team try. Hancock once more with the conversion.

It was Orkney on the score board once more soon after. Following a period of pressure on their own try line the home side forced an error through strong defence and managed to clear their lines. Once back in possession after a great rip in the tackle by Gray, Orkney transitioned to attack.

Good hard carrying and quick rucking meant gaps were opening beside the breakdown. Kansour hit one of these gaps and cantered up field making twenty metres before passing to Guthrie in support.

He made it to inside the twenty-two where he passed back to Kansour who was tackled five metres short. Guthrie made a strong clear out allowing scrum half Thomson to pass left to Hancock who fed Nicolson.

Nicolson did well to gather the ball, dip the shoulder and pop the ball to fullback Stevenson who dived over for a superb team try. Hancock slotting the difficult touchline conversion.

Orkney when in possession were looking threatening every time, they had possession against a tiring Gordonians side. It was Orkney once more who added to their tally.

This time centre Russell earning a penalty at the breakdown on halfway. Thomson took the quick tap and made good ground before Guthrie carried it on before the ball found Russell once more, He was stopped on the five-metre line. Quick ball then fed to flanker Brough who was forced through the contact by Scott Rendall and over for a converted try.

This was to be Orkneys last points of the game and although Gordonians went on to score one more unconverted try they could do nothing more to salvage the win.

The final whistle blew to end the game with Orkney running out 40-22 winners. Thoroughly deserving of the win after an excellent second half performance full of pace, power, and accuracy.

Player of the match for Orkney was Alex Kansour. His strength in the carry, lineout play and game awareness shining through. The whole squad also deserves a mention as everyone on the day gave their all for the club and their teammates.

Sponsor for the game was Alison Moore Jewellery and club mascot was young Murdo Inkster. Thanks to both for their contributions on the day.

So, with another season done and dusted Orkney shown they are well and truly a National league side. However, to make it all possible so much is put into the club by a huge amount people.

To everyone involved be that officials, coaches, players, Sponsors, spectators and the SRU I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. I would also like to single out our main sponsor The Orkney Brewery who continues to provide the club with annual support.

Toecruncher

Orkney team: Craig Rendall, Scott Rendall, Alistair Linklater (cpt), Sean Corrigall, Duncan Gray, Gary Nicholson, Craig Brough, Alex Kansour, William Thomson, Connor Hancock, James Donohoe, Scott Russell, Craig Slater, Chris Guthrie, Ewan Stevenson, subs; Erland Drever, Oscar Payne, Adam Watt, Jacob Urgias.