The Dark Side prevails in a close encounter

13/10/2012

Internal Rugby - Picky - 13th October 2012

Saturday’s weather left some people wondering if it was witty to be playing rugby that afternoon let alone watch this 2nd XV fixture but those who didn’t make it to Pickie missed a rare treat as I and few others witnessed a very fine fast moving game with a lot of skilful play displayed in what turned out to be a decent afternoon with no rain falling during play.

Goose picked two sides which he hoped would be evenly matched and his selection proved spot on as this close encounter finished 55 – 53 for the side playing in the their own dark strips against a very able team in the club’s striped shirts (thus reducing the laundry bill for the club by half as the Dark Side had to wash their ain dirty clobber)

We knew we were in for a treat when both sides scored early following good moves, fine handling and lots of fast moving attacking rugby but as the game progressed there was also some excellent tackling and defensive play as well as good pirating and counter rucking. All very ably refereed by Al Watson and later Sinky (see notes below)

It seems churlish to pick out particular players when everyone had such good games but to give the audience some feel for what they missed here’s a flavour of the game.

On the Dark Side Pip, playing in an unusual position for him at scrum half, went over for a hat trick of tries and promptly converted a few of the kicks too. There was an excellent try scored by a young player wearing a Scotland shirt and bright red socks and the other young players on view showed the future of the club is good hands. With the lad in the wasp top (black and yellow stripes) getting involved in everything and Kyle showed he was hewn from the same concrete that his dad was but with added delicate touches – a dad who was also having a very good game. Up front Adam, Brian et al were winning good ball and Gary F had an amazing break for a try where he had to run at least two thirds of the park to score. Showing there’s life in these old dogs yet. Al did the same later on and Callum scored the crucial match winning try just before the final whistle blew.

On the Stripes side, and not to be outdone, Scotty showed how to dummy the opposition and stroll in for scores. Supporting these scoring feats with their own tries were Dale Watt and Craig Slater who had excellent games alongside Graham Poke who showed that Scotty was not the only player on view who could sell a dummy. All of their efforts were also set up by some dogged and determined play up front for the Stripes.

Unfortunately Pip slipped and had to go off with a sore ankle and later Goose had to depart following a knock. Naturally everyone in the Club wishes such important players a speedy recovery but Pips departure led to an interesting interlude as Al gave up refereeing to even up the playing side and Sinky strolled on, replete in his tackitty boots and furry bunnet to take over as the man in charge. He did amazingly well controlling the game and spotting all the infringements at the ruck from 25 yards away which shows that not all of the old guy’s eyesights are dimming with the years.

Toughness showed up when someone ripped the shirt of Robbie Firth’s back and he played on topless for at least 10 minutes before another top was found for him. At the end of the game he was asked “were you not frozen?” – “Naw” was the reply “Im fae Rousay!!”

In summary this was a good game, played in an excellent spirit peppered with skilful rugby which showed how important second fifteen/internal league games are for the club. These fixtures allow players a platform to stake a claim for a first fifteen place, they allow players who have been out of rugby for a while to play their way back to fitness, young talent to be on show for us all to have faith in the future of the club, younger players to learn from old pros and vice versa, new players to make a mark, and it brings players from all over the county together to help the club maintain its place as a national league side proudly representing Orkney all over Scotland

The next time there is an internal league game on look the details up on the Guestbook of the Club’s website and come and join us. If you want, contact Knighter who keeps the Guestbook up to date or Brian Linklater the second XV Fixture Convenor on 07709 411267 or on [email protected] – they’ll be delighted to hear from you.

As your novice rugby correspondent the team sheets as presented left me struggling to identify some of the players who were new to me (or who swopped sides at the last moment) – usually younger/newer players who I have yet to get to know - and as a consequence I apologise if I have not been able to identify all of the players clearly enough but I hope the players themselves will be able to identify themselves and their team-mates from my clumsy attempts at identification.

Novice rugby correspondent

More photos from the match can be found here.