MATCH REPORT: U14s v Ross Sutherland 9-9-18

Un​der 14 Rugby
Invergordon, Sunday 9th September 2018
Ross Sutherland U14s 38, Orkney U14s 53

Orkney Under 14’s met at the Hope at 7.15am to head to Invergordon to play Ross Sutherland in their 1st match of the season with a squad of 24 players – with a large number of S1’s experiencing this level for the first time. The match was played over 3 periods of 20 minutes.
From the first play of the game the Ross Sutherland number 6 did a powerful run through the Orkney side to put them 5-0 up.

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Photo: ​Back row - left to right: Travis Davies, Alastair Park, Declan MacLeod, Christopher Scott, Thorfinn Craigie, Harvey Slater, Alex Scarth, Oscar Payne (cpt), Jason Scott, Euan Harcus, PJ Dempsey, Tommy Stockan, Euan Knox, Lewis Kennan
Front Row - left to right: Aiden Cooper, Scott Craigie, Angus Brown, Jake Henry, Christy McLeod, Kadyn Harcus, Brogan Russell, Ryan Linklater, Josh Shirreffs, Isaac Deerness. ​

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Orkney regrouped and fought their way into the game. There was some good forward play from Thorfinn Craigie, Euan Harcus, Euan Knox and Tommy Stockan and some good runs from the backs with Oscar Payne, Travis Davis, Alex Scarth and Jason Scott to the fore. From some good play Travis Davies kicked from the wing towards the centre of the pitch near the try line and Jason Scott picked up and scored to level the match.

Ross Sutherland continued to play strongly and Orkney had to tackle well and Declan MacLeod, Isaac Deerness, PJ Dempsey, Ryan Linklater and Christy McLeod all made tackles. From some strong play the forwards and backs interplayed and Travis Davis was given the ball and with a good run to evade covering tackles he scored a well worked try.

Ross Sutherland came back and with two strong runs from powerful players scored a try which was converted.
From a Ross Sutherland kick which failed to make touch, Jason Scott collected on the wing and with his fast run evading the Ross defence to score. With the kick successful Orkney now led 17-12.

Over the next periods of play Ross fought strongly and Orkney had to at times dig in and defend strongly. Both sides scored good tries with Orkney working positions to free up Jason Scott to score another 3 tries.

The sun had shone for the first two periods but at the start of period 3 the heavens opened up and handling become very difficult. With the scoring moving fast the score stood at 43-38 to Orkney with the match in the balance. With all the squad gaining game time and both sides tiring Orkney raised their game once again. Brogan Russell had some good runs and with the forwards including Alastair Park setting a platform for the backs Orkney scored two late tries from Oscar Payne and Christopher Scott to seal the match 53-38.

Orkney had to play well to beat a physical strong Ross side and made an encouraging start to their season. With all 24 players gaining good game time this experience should help prepare them all for the season. Orkney then retired to enjoy the Ross hospitality.

Thank you to all who came and supported the players and help the coaches.

R.K.