Orkney Schools U15s v Mackie Academy U15s Match Report

16/2/2016

Last Thursday the 11th of February saw the Orkney under 15 rugby team make the trip down to Stonehaven to play Mackie Academy. With the unavailability of the Stromness Academy players, the Orkney team was made up by KGS S3 and S2 with 20 boys travelling.

Upon arriving at Mackie, conditions were dry overhead and the pitch is good condition after the recent poor weather. As Mackie Academy was on their mid term break they only had 11 players so this was a chance for the Orkney subs to get more game time with, Keir Garriock, Jamie Clouston, Keith Deerness and Lee Rendall starting for Mackie.
The Orkney team was a strong line up with Jack Marwick, Glen Brough and Murray Simpson in the front row, Ronan Gray and Fraser Merriman in the second row with Glenn Brough and Glen Scott on the flank and Josh Rendall at number 8. Gregor Macleod was the sub as he was nursing an injury.

Andrew Mulraine was scrum half for the first time in a while, Connor Hancock captaining the team from stand off, Ben Johnston and Ryan Mooney in the centres, Sam Rendall and Scott Swannie on the wings and Rhys Davies at full back.

After a settling in period for the first team minutes with Orkney showing some rustiness after not having played for some time, they started getting on top dominating the scrums and providing a steady source of quality ball and started to make it count with Ben Johnston, Ryan Mooney, Ronan Gray and Rhys Davies getting tries with Andrew Mulraine and Scott Swannie converting.

Half Time score : Orkney 24 – Mackie 0

The second half saw the four Orkney players in the Mackie team switching with four from the Orkney starting line up and Gregor coming on for a 20 minute run out. The second half followed the first with Orkney continuing top dominate possession with Ryan Mooney scoring a further two tries, Ben Johnston adding another, Glen Brough forcing his way over from close range and Glen Scott running in a long distance final try with Ben Johnston, Glen Scott and Glen Brough converting.

Mackie scored a consolation try late on which was unconverted making the final score : Orkney 55 – Mackie 5.

A very good overall performance from the Orkney team with Ben Johnston and Ryan Mooney catching the eye in the centre and Glenn Foubister and Glen Scott putting in good shifts on the flank whilst Ronan Gray and Glen Brough doing well in the tight against a spirited Mackie team who never gave up.

Thanks to John Bennett, Huw Davies and Thorfinn Rendall for travelling with the Orkney Schools team.