Orkney RFC U18s v Shetland RFC U18s

Caledonia North Under 18 Division
Picky - Saturday 14th September 2013
Final Score: Orkney 86, Shetland 0

Orkney under 18 Rugby Team played Shetland last Saturday on the Picky Centre Pitch that was in an immaculate condition. This turned out to be a taster for Rugby supporters with the first team game with Ellon coming later.

This being Shetland's first season of league rugby at this level it was hoped that the home squad’s greater experience would be a factor. No competition against Shetland is taken lightly and this was impressed on the team during the warm up.

The game kicked off in good weather conditions, Orkney wasting no time in dominating proceedings with Ben Sutherland scoring the first try after two minutes following some strong forward play. The conversion was missed.

Following this early set back Shetland forced play into the Orkney half and tested the strong tackling Orkney defence; this was eventually cleared with a Taylor Pilkington-Tait penalty deep into the Shetland half. This led to some good Orkney play with forwards and backs linking well ending with Taylor scoring the second try after twelve minutes, and narrowly missing the conversion.

The score kept ticking over during the remainder of the first half with further tries from David Porteous, Andrew Shaw, Jack Siderfin and a second from Ben Sutherland. Taylor converted two of them giving a half time score of thirty four. During the half the Shetland team continued to put a great effort into the game and at times it was only a missed pass or good defending by Orkney that prevented them from scoring.

The second half started with a period of Shetland pressure on the Orkney line that was only halted with David Porteous making an interception and running the length of the field to score under the posts, this was converted by Taylor.

The half continued in similar vain to the first the next two tries both scored by Joey Fischella, one converted one missed taking the points total to fifty three with still twenty minutes to go.

A fine passing move between Jack Stout and David Porteous both moving at speed left the Shetland defence stranded ended with Jack scoring under the post leaving an easy conversion for Taylor.

Orkney scored a further four tries through Duncan Gray, Taylor; Jack Siderfin assisted by Paul Muir and the final one a quick move from a scrum by Jack Stout. This gave a final score of eighty six to nil to Orkney consisting of fourteen tries and eight conversions.

Shetland played a big part in making this an enjoyable game to watch, they must be congratulated on keeping going to the final whistle and can look forward to a lot closer games in the future as they gain experience at this level.

Orkney have another local derby this coming Saturday when Caithness are the visitors with once again a 12.00 start. Well worth coming to watch as an appetizer to the first team game against Perthshire.

View photos

Match Report: L.H.