RAW 2019 | Currie Cup & Dragons v Garioch Match Reports

Internal Rugby - East v West - Currie Cup Round 2
 
It was a fine day for rugby last Saturday when the two internal teams East and West took the field at Pickaquoy for what tuned into a well contested game which the West team won 39-33.
 
The weather was in marked contrast to the first game played in Dounby on 9 February where it was cold, wet and windy and which the East won by 32-5 on a day when it when it was difficult to get good accurate handling going in such yucky conditions.
 
As it had been agreed that the destination of the Currie Cup would be decided on the aggregate score over these two legs, the East now have the honour of holding the Currie Cup for 2019, with the aggregate scores being 65-44 in favour of the East team.

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Orkney Dragons v Garioch Ladies
 
Last Saturday Garioch, who currently sit in Tennent's National League 1 (two leagues above Orkney) travelled to Orkney for a friendly that was intended as a development and pre cup warm up game after the long break since the league ended. It was played in four 20 minute quarters to allow Orkney to try out players in new positions and be coached throughout the game.
 
Knowing that they had beaten Orkney quite comprehensively by 55-0 the last time these two teams met, Garioch got a surprise in the first quarter of this game, when they found themselves pinned back into their half and Orkney attacked with determination, intent and no little skill.
 
Despite the difference in playing level Orkney rose to the challenge holding their own scrum and dominating their rucks.
 
Sadly for Orkney though it was Garrioch who opened the scoring once they got clean ball to their fast and impressive backs. So while Orkney dominated the first twenty minute session and all of the game up to that point had been played in the Garioch 22 until close to the end of that quarter their fast backs exploded and ran in the opening tries.
 
The second 20 minute session followed much the same pattern as the first quarter, and despite, Jennifer Scott scoring the first try for Orkney from a penalty with a run off the 5 metre line and driving over the try which Nikita Scollie converted.

The half time score was 22-7 in favour of the visitors.

Paige Archibald showed some slick footwork in the final quarter and scored Orkney's second try of the day in what was an impressive show of team play getting the ball out wide for her to work her magic.
 
The final score was 12-53 but Orkney were not disheartend by the score. Huge improvements had been seen on their last encounter with Garioch when the score, as mentioned above, had ended 55-0
 
Stacey Tualasea was Orkney's choice for Queen of the Team and Jennifer Scott received the same accolade from Garioch.
 
Special mentions were made of Molly Tait who made her debut for the Orkney Dragons and Coach John Cairns for his help coaching the women.
 
Thanks must also go to Garioch themselves for travelling to Orkney for a friendly, and the Match Day Sponsor, Brian Laughton, for sponsoring the Dragons
 
Orkney can take some heart from playing well against good opposition and narrowing the margin of victory from the last time they played Garrioch, and a good night was had by all in the clubhouse 
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I.C.