Orkney RFC and visitors Berwick couldn't be separated - drawing 22-22 after a hard-fought 80 minutes at a calm and frosty Pickaquoy on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors were ahead for most of the match, leading 14-12 at half time through an early try and three penalties, with Orkney's points coming via tries from Philip Ross and Steven Groat, the latter converted by James Linklater.
A Berwick try in the first five minutes of the second half made it 19-12 before David Hamilton crossed the line for Orkney to close the gap to 19-17 with half an hour left on the clock.
It was Scott Russell's try that put Orkney ahead 22-17 with little over ten minutes left.
However, Russell was off with a yellow card by the time Berwick had an opportunity to draw level, with a kickable penalty awarded inside time added on. It was slotted to make it 22-22.
The referee still had time on his watch though, and Orkney gained ground steadily up the pitch until a knock-on on the Berwick 22.
Back came the visitors in what spectators thought must be the final move of the match. It proved to be, but a great tackle into touch by Jon Tait halted the Berwick advance and the final whistle signalled a share of the spoils.
The visitors were ahead for most of the match, leading 14-12 at half time through an early try and three penalties, with Orkney's points coming via tries from Philip Ross and Steven Groat, the latter converted by James Linklater.
A Berwick try in the first five minutes of the second half made it 19-12 before David Hamilton crossed the line for Orkney to close the gap to 19-17 with half an hour left on the clock.
It was Scott Russell's try that put Orkney ahead 22-17 with little over ten minutes left.
However, Russell was off with a yellow card by the time Berwick had an opportunity to draw level, with a kickable penalty awarded inside time added on. It was slotted to make it 22-22.
The referee still had time on his watch though, and Orkney gained ground steadily up the pitch until a knock-on on the Berwick 22.
Back came the visitors in what spectators thought must be the final move of the match. It proved to be, but a great tackle into touch by Jon Tait halted the Berwick advance and the final whistle signalled a share of the spoils.
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