Orkney U16s 68 – Caithness U16s 7

16/12/2012

The local derby match was played on Sunday 16th December at Dounby and players from both teams were eager to show their skills and dominate in this long awaited fixture. It was obvious from the start of the game that Orkney were going to be too strong for the visitors but sparks of good play showed positive signs for the future for Caithness.

Orkneys large squad was rotated throughout the match which hindered the games flow but all the players showed what they had to offer and with league and cup fixtures to come in the New Year as well as a tour to Edinburgh playing the Capitals best teams, players were obviously thinking about selection. Scores in the first half came from Andrew Shaw, Chris Munson, Craig Russell, Sam Croy, Orrin Fraser and Cammy Gray. Taylor Pilkington Tait converting consistently to make the half-time score 36 – 0.

More changes were made in the second half with Scott Smith making his return after Injury and additions to the pack in the form of Ronan Osborne and Ross Sinclair. The game lost shape fairly quickly due to the poor defence from Caithness but Orkney could not always capitalise due to unforced errors. Further tries from Andrew Shaw, James Brown, Chris Munson, James Nicolson and Craig Stout showed some individual quality play but team tries were hard to find as not many phases of play were required. Caithness to their credit rallied in the last five minutes to take play to Orkney and deserved their try after the forwards recycled ball close to the Orkney line and drove over for a good try.

Orkney scored some good individual tries but good performances were also noted from Jack Scott, Sam Croy, Scott Smith and Ronan Osborne.

Orkney squad; Taylor Pirie – Robbie Hay - Robbie Drever – Craig Stout – Liam Moar – Sam Kennedy – Euan Humphries – Chris Munson – James Nicolson – Orrin Fraser – Junior Cosher – Cairan Drever – Owen Harcus – Ross Sinclair – Ronan Osborne – Craig Stevenson – TPT – Sam Croy – Craig Russell – Cammy Gray – Andrew Shaw – Tom Gordon

Match Report: BR