ORFC U16 v Highland U16 - Match Report

Caledonia North Under 16 Division
Picky - Sunday 22nd September 2013
Final Score: Orkney RFC U16s 19 - Highland RFC U16s 22

Last Sunday saw Orkney U16s play Highland in their third match of the Caledonia 1 league which was a mouth watering prospect with both teams being unbeaten until the weekend but it was Highland who came out on top with a 22-19 battling win.

The Orkney boys started out with real purpose with strong scrummaging, effective line outs and direct running from the Orkney pack led by Cammy Gray.

Orkney were first to score with Sam Croy crossing the line after great work by the forwards which he also converted, (7-0). Orkney were soon rained back in after a good passing move put the Highland winger into the corner, unconverted, (7-5). The Orkney forwards soon made good ground back into the Highland half with good kicking by Ciaran Drever and four consecutive rucks led to Cammy Gray crossing the line, unconverted, (12-5).

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With the Orkney boys looking tired before the half time break highland took advantage with their forwards working well and combined with poor orkney discipline at the breakdown they started to concede penalties which gave the highland scrum half a quick penalty one metre out to dive over and score.

Half time (12-10).

The second half of the game was very close with both teams giving their all and working hard to break down defences.  Highland had the edge in the scrum but Orkney did have their fair share of possession in the lineout and with the ball being wet both back row players had equal dominance in the loose.  It was highland that made the break through after poor discipline allowed highland to get territory down ion Orkneys 22m, after several scrums close to the Orkney line the Highland centre went over under the posts after a clever dummy left the home defence standing still, the conversion was made, (12 - 17). 

Soon after Highland once again caught the defence sleeping with a quick tap penalty moving the ball wide to go over in the corner, conversion missed, (12 - 22).  With ten minutes left Cammy Gray came close to scoring only to drop the ball at the line but Ciaran Drever sliced kick gave highland trouble and gave the home boys some filed position but the lost scrum resulted in Orkney being back in their 22metere area.  With five minutes left Sam Croy steamed up the centre of the pitch to go round the full back to score under the posts and duly converted, (19 - 22). 

Orkney continued to press with strong runs from James Nicolson and Euan Humphreys and were awarded a penalty with one minute of play left.  Arjun Pankahania tapped and passed to Jordan Basford who made good ground towards the try line despite a obvious offside from highland and almost made it but lost the ball in his last step and the full time whistle blew.

A missed opportunity from the Orkney players who were really disappointed with the result but stuck in until the final play, missed chances, set piece and poor discipline will need to be addressed at this weeks training with Gordonstoun U16s on the horizon this weekend away.
Selected boys are to meet at Hatston on Friday night at 10.20pm

Match photos are available here