MATCH REPORT: U14s v Stornoway 15-9-18

Under 14 Rugby
Invergordon, Saturday 15th September 2018
Stornoway U14s 52, Orkney U14s 49

Orkney Under 14’s met at the Hope at 7.15am to head to Invergordon to play Stornoway with a squad of 21 players with 1 player making his debut, Alfie Reid. The match was played over 3 periods of 20 minutes.
​As Stornoway only had 14 players it was agreed that Orkney would give 3 different players to them for each of the 20 minute time periods.

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Similar to last week Orkney got off to a slow start and Stornoway moved the ball well amongst their back line to score a try. Stornoway showed that they were a quick team with good ball handling skills. The try was converted so Orkney found themselves down 0-7.
Orkney regrouped quickly and started to move the ball well themselves. A good period of passing with Oscar Payne and Alex Scarth involved saw Travis Davis given some space and he took his chance well to score. Stornoway fought back but some strong tacking from Tommy Stockan, Angus Brown and Thorfinn Sinclair saw them held at bay. Orkney worked themselves back into position and created space for Travis to burst through and score another try. Both tries were converted for Orkney to lead 14-7.
Stornoway again came back and despite some good tackling from Euan Harcus and Ryan Linklater managed to score again. Unconverted the score was now 14-12 Orkney.
Orkney then enjoyed a good period of pressure but Stornoway scrambled defence held them out. A scum from inside their own half was worked out to fly half Oscar who broke through the line and passed to Alex and then onto Kadyn Harcus. Orkney were held up just short of the line. This was the best team move of the game. Stornoway struggled to clear the ball and with strong rucking led by Euan Knox the ball was won back and moved out wide where Brogan Russell managed to evade the defence and score. Stornoway came back and worked their fastest player into some space who scored. At the end of the first period the scored stood 19-17 to Orkney.

The Orkney side started well and some good runs from Isaac Deerness supported well by the pack saw Oscar given space to score a try. Stornoway replied immediately to score a converted try from Travis who was one of the Orkney players to join Stornoway and scored meaning they now led 29-31.  
Orkney came back and with some good play from forwards and backs put Alex into some space and he held off the defence to score. Stornoway then created some space and gave Travis enough space for his pace to score. At the end of the 2nd period the score now stood Orkney 29 – Stornoway 38.
At the start of the third period Orkney managed to control the ball well giving Travis enough space to allow him to use his pace to score a quick three tries, two of which were long range runs. Stornoway came back and scored a try in reply which meant that with time running out the score stood at Orkney 44 – 45 Stornoway.
Orkney rallied and with many of the team pulling together got the ball to Oscar who with a strong run held off two final tackles to score a try in the corner. Stornoway regrouped and after good defence from Orkney managed to break them down and score under the posts. The try was converted and then the referee blew for time. The final score being Orkney 49 – 52 Stornoway.

A narrow defeat but a good showing from Orkney with well done to the 9 players who all took a turn to help out the Stornoway team. There was some good performance with much improved tackling from all the players from the previous week's game.
Thanks to those who came and helped the coaches. The players then all headed for Golspie for some much needed food.

The players pictured are;

Back row left to right - PJ Dempsey, Travis Davis (cpt), Alfie Reid, Ryan Linklater, Lewis Kenis, Euan Knox, Tommy Stockan, Harvey Slater, Alex Scarth, Oscar Payne, Mitchell Dowie.
Front row left to right - Isaac Deerness, Christy McLeod, Brogan Russell, Angus Brown, Jake Henry, Kadyn Harcus, Scott Craigie, Declan McLeod.
Not pictured - Euan Harcus and Thorfinn Sinclair.

R.K.