Twelve man under-18 team earn victory on the road

Caledonia North U18
Inverness - Saturday, 29 November 2014
MORAY RFC U18s 8, ORKNEY RFC U18s 24

Orkney under 18 Rugby team travelled to Inverness last Saturday to play Moray, unfortunately due to injuries and late withdrawals they travelled with only twelve players.

The boys were given the opportunity to play a non competitive game of even sides, given the high team spirit they decided to give it a go at least for the first half.

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The game kicked of with Orkney pinning Moray back in their own half with some strong tackling and spirited play, after ten minutes Captain Mark Sinclair scored the first try, the conversion being missed. The boys continued to control the game with any advances made by Moray being snuffed out by the combined efforts of the whole team playing as a unit. The first half scoring was completed with tries by Furgus McIvor and Craig Stout both converted by Taylor Pilkington Tait giving a score of 19-0.

At the break the team were pleased with the first half performance but new that they needed to concentrate during the rest of the game to maintain the lead, playing twelve against fifteen tiredness was bound to become a factor.

Moray were awarded a penalty in the Orkney half and surprisingly decided to kick for goal reducing the deficit to 19-3. Orkney still managed to be doing the majority of the attacking, this led to a converted try by Ciaran Drever giving his team a comfortable 21 point lead. Late in the game Moray scored a consolation try giving a final score of 24-8.

Moray are a strong team having won the majority of their games this season showing what a performance this was from the Orkney twelve. The Moray team voted Orkney hooker Connor Crawford Man of the Match in only his second game back after a break from Rugby.

Credit is also due to our Master Tactician Bruce Pilkington who’s decision to play with no flankers and only one winger proved decisive on the day.
Team: Sam Croy, Andrew Shaw, Furgus McIvor, Ciaran Drever, Arjun Pankhania, Taylor Pilkington Tait, Mark Sinclair, Robbie Hay, Connor Crawford, Taylor Pirie, Craig Stout and Sam Kennedy.

L.H.