U14 Culbean cup competition – final group stage matches 11-2-24

On Sunday the 11th of February, 33 Orkney under 14 players travelled down to Invergordon for matches against Lochaber RFC and Highland RFC in the new SRU Culbean Challenge Competition.

These were the final two games of the group stage, with a place in the round of 16 at stake.

The Orkney Yellows took on Lochaber, with their match kicking off at 12:15pm.

Orkney Yellows team:

1 Cole Mitchell
2 Reid Drever
3 Ruaridh Millar
4 William Maclean
5 Kieran Groat
6 Jack Rorie
7 Jonas Tualasea
8 Ruairidh Wood (VC)
9 Rylee Sutherland
10 James Hamilton
11 Murray Clark
12 Tyler Fitzpatrick (C)
13 Rohan Spence
14 Erik Thomson
15 Ruaridh Henderson
16 Balfour Williamson
17 Sonny Wise
18 Rory Macinnes
19 Wilbur Bremner
20 Scott Slater
21 Einar Thomson
22 Orrin Dick
23 Thomas Corrigall

Back row: James Hamilton, Jack Rorie, Murray Clark, Ruairidh Wood, Ruaridh Millar, Jonas Tualasea, Erik Thomson, Sonny Wise and Balfour Williamson.

Front row: Tyler Fitzpatrick, Ruaridh Henderson, Reid Drever, Kieran Groat, William Maclean, Rylee Sutherland, Rohan Spence, Cole Mitchell and Rory Macinnes.

With two games to play in the same day, the Orkney Under 13 squad helped make up the Orkney yellows team.

Orkney lost two early tries, but rallied after the first try by captain Tyler who powered up the left wing for his and Orkney's first try. The second came after a strong carry by no 8 Ruairidh, deep into the Lochaber 22, which ended in a line out to Lochaber. The ball was kicked clear to fullback Einar, who caught and ran up the right wing for the 2nd try.

Orrin Dick, on as a substitute scored the 3rd try after a strong run through the centre of the pitch. The 4th try came from the Stronsay Express, with Wilbur battering through as inside centre. The 5th try came from a tap penalty, a good forward's try from Ruairidh. Orkney Yellow's 6th try came from winger Rory, after a great run down right wing. Captain Tyler ran in the 7th try, running straight through from re-start.

The 8th try came 3 minutes from the end, Lochaber kicked clear from a line out in their own 22; Thomas, playing at fullback,caught the kick and ran straight through the team for the final try of the day.

Credit must go to Kieran, who ended the game having played as a forward, a winger and at scrum half – doing well in each position.

The game ended with the score 44 Orkney Yellows 29 Lochaber.

Well done to all the under 13 players and thank you from the under 14 boys for helping fulfil the fixture.

Players player went to the all action Ruairidh Wood, coaches player was Tyler.

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The Orkney Reds were next up, with their match against Highland RFC kicking off at 1:15pm.

The Orkney Reds team:

1 Angus Inkster
2 Harvey Reid
3 George Shearer
4 Dylan Squire
5 Halcro Tait
6 Scott Slater (C)
7 Ran Jackson
8 Wilbur Bremner
9 Joel Hamilton
10 Ruari Wood
11 Orrin Dick
12 Thomas Corrigall
13 Einar Thomson
14 Robbie Lyon
15 Kaelan Spence (VC)
16 Sonny Wise
17 Rory Macinnes
18 Jonas Tualasea
19 Ruairidh Wood

Back row: Ruairidh Wood, Halcro Tait, George Shearer, Dylan Squire, Scott Slater, Thomas Corrigall, Wilbur Bremner, Ran Jackson, Angus Inkster, Robbie Lyon, Sonny Wise and Balfour Williamson

Front row: Rory Macinnes, Harvey Reid, Ruari Wood, Joel Hamilton, Einar Thomson, Orrin Dick, Jonas Tualasea and Kaelan Spence.

Score: Orkney 10 Highland 60

Orkney Reds faced a very well drilled, physically imposing Highland RFC side – who asserted themselves early in the match. Captain Scott suffered an injury in the first match so Sonny started the game in his place.

Kaelan, Thomas and Orrin tackled hard through the first half in what was a very one sided affair. Einar got close to the Highand try line twice, but was repelled by a strong Highland defence.

The second half saw the introduction of U13 players Jonas and Ruairdih, who both made a notable difference to the Orkney forward pack. Ruaridh in particular, had some very strong carries and threw himself into tackles against boys who were not only a year older but physically far bigger than him. Mr Wood was by some distance, the winner of the Players Player vote and was also named as coaches player for the game. More of the same next game please Ruairidh.

Orkney Red's first try was scored by fullback Kaelan, who kicked and chased his own kick. The team's second try and his second of the day came from another great run from winger Rory.

Highland are the best opposition the boys have faced this season and the fixture showed more time needs to be spent on tackling technique - work will start this Wednesday night. A loss is a learning experience, all boys who played can be proud to have played and fulfilled the fixtures with many playing two games in short succession.

The weekend's games took a lot of organising, at late notice, to take place: not just from the Orkney coaches, but from Lochaber RFC, Highland RFC, Ross Sutherland RFC and our sponsors Pentland Ferries. Thank you to all involved for making the games possible. A last thank you goes to George Brown (Rohallion) for providing the live stream and recording of the games, giving parents a chance to see the teams play and coaches valuable footage to analyse and go through with the boys.

Next for the U14s is the round of 16 of the Culbean Cup Competition, game details TBC.


A.T