MATCH REPORT | Peterhead Ladies v Orkney Dragons 12-2-22

Tennent's Caledonia North Region Women’s League
Catto Park - Saturday 12th February 2022
Peterhead Ladies 7, Orkney Dragons 12

On attempt three, the Orkney Dragons were finally on their way to play Peterhead for their final league game.

Unfortunately, game preparation was hindered due to split travel by the team. Some took the Hrossey to Aberdeen on the Friday night with the majority flying on Saturday morning.

Photo: George Brown

Due to the flight arriving late, this resulted in the Dragons getting a mere ten minute warm up. Afterwards, it highlight how important a good warm is needed before a competitive game.

The Dragons opted to have the wind on their backs to begin with, however with the home support, Peterhead maximised the use of a good warm up and pressurised from the start.

The Dragons took a while to settle and were up against a team who were physically bigger and equally as strong. The Orkney backs struggled with that throughout the game and the physical comparison was somewhat comedic.

The first half was very much a forwards game with powerful performances from Stacey Tualasea and Laura Baillie. Strong scrums and line outs by the Dragons saw some possession steals at pivotal moments.

Peterhead were first on the scoreboard as they chipped away at the Dragons defence. They drew the Dragons in to create an overlap on the wing and the try was converted.

The Dragons dominated for a while after with their comeback mindset. Excellent turnovers with jackals from Hannah Cursiter and Laura Baillie.

The Orkney side had their chances on the try line, with overlaps on the wing but the ball was not released and therefore held up on the try line.

As the game went on, the Dragons began to settle and got a deserved try and conversion. A great turnover in the Dragons ‘22 by Sara Duffy, found full back Paige Archibald who performed one of her infamous runs. Being chased by Peterhead, and Paige feeling someone grab her shorts, she had the support from teammates to guide her to the try line. Nikita Scollie got the conversion before the half time whistle sounded.

The second half was very equal with both teams beginning to tire and make unforced errors.

The Dragons were the stronger side in the second half putting pressure on Peterhead. A few positional changes revamped the team and the girls found more aggression and energy.

With the clock ticking away, two scrums in the Dragons favour, five meters from the try line were their last chance to secure a win. The first scrum was planned to go to the backs but a penalty caused by Peterhead meant it had to be retaken. A change of tactics for the second scrum, with Stacey taking the ball going to the blindside saw her do a full body stretch right on the touch line secured the last points of the game.

A very difficult game for the Dragons both physically and mentally. Not the polished performance we are used to seeing but to play against Peterhead who borrowed players from Aberdeenshire Quines and Fraserburgh Ladies, travelling bodies and very little warm up, definitely showed what the team is made of to come away with a 12-7 win.

Queens of the team were Emma Staunton (Forward) and Paige Archibald (Backs).

A massive thank you to Loganair, Northlink and Maynes for their patience and services.

The Dragons progress onto the National Women’s Plate. The structure is two pools, a round robin of four games and the top two teams of each pool go onto the semi-finals.

The next game is on Saturday 12 March 2022 at home against Livingston.

D.W.