Orkney U16s 34 v Ross Sutherland U16s 22 - 6-10-13

Caledonia North Under 16 Division
Stromness Academy - Sunday 6th October 2013
Final Score: Orkney RFC U16s 34 - Ross Sutherland RFC U16s 22

It was an overcast day, with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch at Stromness Academy.
The Orkney boys arrived at the school at 1:30, got changed and went out with the plan being to beat Ross Sutherland, who had only brought 13 players. Some of the lads thought it would be an easy win, because they had the advantage of a good size playing squad, but in the end ORFC gave Dylan Evans, a strong prop, to the opposing side along with Ali Bradley, another strong, quick player, across to the team.
The warm up was a bit lacklustre, but the boys were ready for the game overall, which kicked off at half past 2

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Orkney kicked off into the wind, and the kick from Ciaran Drever was taken well. The Orkney backline came up, and the first tackle of the game was made by Adam Fallows, the team’s winger. Orkney were surprised at Ross Sutherland’s driving play, and lost several rucks to the strong forwards.
The ball found its way back to Ciaran Drever, and he touched the ball down over the line to score the first try, which Sam Croy converted. Ross Sutherland fought back, and managed to steal a well deserved try, which was converted. 7-7.

The Orkney lads fought harder, with excellent tackles made by Sam Kennedy and Jordan Basford. Orkney received a scrum, and Cameron Gray, the number 8, took the ball and drove over the line. 12-7.
A scrum was this time given to Ross Sutherland, but some brilliant hooking from Liam Thomson stole the ball and organised work from the backs led to Archie MacPhail, full back, bringing it down in the corner. 17-7.     
Half time.

After Graeme Rammage gave the boys a good team talk, they came back on the pitch a stronger side, ready to win. Jack Scott was injured before half time, and Magnus Merriman came on in his place. Not soon after kick off, Fergus Macivor was injured as well, and Douglas Murray came on in his place.
The next five minutes were well fought with not much between the two sides, but in the end the Ross Sutherland number 8 made a brilliant run, and scored to make in 17-12.

Again, big hits were made and strong running from Tom Gordon made it possible for Ciaran Drever to dart through the Ross Sutherland defence and score, to make it 22- 12.
More amazing work from the forwards, especially James Nicolson, brought the team to the 22m line, and Robbie Hay took the ball and took the ball straight through the defence, and crashed onto the line to make it 27-12.

Ross Sutherland hadn’t given up though, and took two hard earned tries within 10 minutes of each other to make the game 27-22. The work from the forwards in the last 3 minutes was outstanding, and the ball was brought to Cameron Gray again, touching it down between the posts. An excellent conversion from Sam Croy brought the game to an end at 34-22.  

Adam Fallows received Man of the Match, for his great runs and crunching tackles. He played his last game for the U16s as he is moving to the south west, he is a great player and will be a loss to the club.
Doodle of the day went to Jordan Basford, who ‘stayed up to late’ the previous night and was ‘tired?!!’ in the morning. A good game was had by all, and although Ross Sutherland played well, Orkney got a hard earned win.

More photos from the match can be found here.

Match Report by Douglas Murray