Match Report | Under 30s v Over 30s 5-11-22

On a grey autumn afternoon the anticipated Young Pup’s versus Auld Head’s match kicked off at 3pm on the Centre Pitch at the Pickaquoy Centre.

G Poke kicked off at 3pm with the U30’s keeping possession and progressing to the O30’s 22yd line.

Photo & Video: George Brown

The O30’s counterattacked, gained possession and won the resultant scrum – both teams had shown by this stage that this was to be a fully contested match.

The next play was an U30 scrum on the O30’s 22yd line but during the skirmish G Poke for the O30’s was able to chip over the U30’s but failed to gather it.

The U30’s jinked their way through the opposition and K Robb was able to score a try and kick the conversion. U30’s 7 – O30’s 0.

The game settled in to a keenly contested match with both sides making breaks.
G Poke chipped deep into the oppositions half and A Corse chased but the U30’s regained the possession and returned the ball to the 22yd line.
The O30’s kept control and C Risbridger (and his super sticky gloves) kicked and chased but didn’t quite make the full play.
However, the O30’s managed to regain control and B Pinkerton crossed the line for an unconverted try. U30’s 7 – O30’s 5.

The U30’s picked up the game a bit with some K Robb’s trademark jinky runs.
The pressure paid off and K Dearness got over the line for a try and K Robb converted it. U30’s 14 – O30’s 5.
Nearing the end of the first half both teams were tiring and the rolling subs began to get used with a noticeable father - son combo of Thomo Spence being subbed by his father Stewart.

The half time whistle blew with the scores still U30’s 14 – O30’s 5.

The U30’s came out of the blocks fast and L Moar was soon to get a try and K Robb slotted another conversion taking the scores to U30’s 21 – O30’s 5.
The auld heads now had the oldest head at the No8 position and fancying himself to have a bit of Gairsay Flair controlled the scrum from the back and made a couple of pick up and goes to great effect.
This was the catalyst for resurgence from the O30’s and M Harper managed to boulder over the line for an unconverted try taking the score to U30’s 21 – O30’s 10.

The U30’s continued to use their pace to try to get through the O30’s with J Pizon running from his own try line but getting stopped around the oppositions 22yd line.
Tiredness allowed infringements from both sides so the scrums increased but again, S Spence relished this and again picked and went and this time managed to score with G Poke converting it. Score U30’s 21 – O30’s 17.

With the clock running down and the U30’s sensing that their backs were against the wall they stepped it up another gear and J Urgais went over the line for an unconverted try. Score U30’s 26 – O30’s 17.
The O30’s weren’t going to lie down in the last minutes of the game and actually turned over the ball after an U30’s lineout. The O30’s managed to take the ball to within 5yds of the try line but unfortunately were unable to take the points.

Final Score U30’s 26 – O30’s 17.

The players wish to thank Ian Rushbrook for refereeing the match, the coaches and spectators for their time and the Club for laying on food for after the match. The next game will be on the 19th November in Westray where the home team take on The Barbarians.

Teams
Over 30 – S McAdie, R Temple, B Smith, S Tait, R Thomson, B Linklater (cpt), M Harper, T Spence, B Pinkerton, G Poke, A Corse, A Thomson, G Thomson, Colin Risbridger, A Pirie, L Thomson, A Firth, S Spence, S Esselmont, J Heal.

Under 30 - M Simpson, O Mcmahon, S Owen, R Gray, AAmer, L Moar, A Mulraine, K Robb (cpt), J Urgais, S Smith, H Shaw, K Dearness, J Pizon, F Merriman, S Swannie, AMorgan, J Craigie, R Mooney.

Wan Step