Orkney break their league duck against Mackie FP

6/10/2012

RBS Caledonia League Division 1
Picky - Saturday 6th October, 2012
Orkney RFC 26, Mackie Academy FP 12

The First XV got a league win under their belts with a good second-half display against Mackie Academy FP on a bright but windy Saturday afternoon at Pickaquoy.

Despite having a fair bit of possession in the first half, and rarely being under pressure, the home side failed to get any points on the board as they played towards the Muddisdale end, with Adam Baird’s crash over the line midway through the half judged to have come from a forward pass.

For the most of this opening period it was a bit of a dour midfield battle, with both sides possibly struggling to cope with the strong crossfield wind. It meant the board was still blank when they broke for their half-time team talks.

The breakthrough for Orkney came early in the second half, with vice captain Marcus Guthrie going over behind the posts and James Linklater slotting the kick for a 7-0 lead.

There was some great handling in the build-up to Orkney’s second try soon after, and it was the other Guthrie twin this time – Chris – going over. Protests from Mackie that the ball had gone forward were waved aside by the referee, who signalled it had come off a knee before going to hand.

Orkney were visibly more confident now and in the 55th minute William Thomson was over for a third try. The conversion drifted just wide of the uprights this time, leaving the score at 19-0.

On the hour mark and an Orkney lineout saw eventual man of the match Danny Bain making good ground into the Mackie 22, with Orkney pressing the line again and the visitors having to work hard to clear.

Scott Rendall showed that props can do some effective kicking too, as he sent a nicely placed kick out of the Orkney half for a lineout right on the Mackie 22.

It was not long before Orkney had their bonus try, with Philip Ross popping the ball up for Willie Thomson to run in on the left. James Linklater converted to make it 26-0 with little over 10 minutes to go. There was talk on the touchline of Orkney keeping a blank sheet, but this didn’t filter onto the pitch, as the home side maybe switched off slightly and allowed Mackie in for two late tries – one of them converted – to make the final score 26-12.

A welcome home win for Orkney then, and something to hopefully build on as the side heads south to meet St Andrews University this weekend, followed by a home match against Caithness on October 20.

Match Report: Robert Leslie

Match Photos:

Rae's Photos | Ollie's Photos