U18s double up against Ross Sutherland

Caledonia North U18
Thurso - Saturday, 21 February 2015
Ross Sutherland RFC U18s 12, Orkney RFC U18s 18

The Orkney Under 18 Rugby Team travelled across to Thurso to play Ross Sutherland at Caithness RFC. Due to fixtures being cancelled due to weather and teams not being able to raise a team it was agreed that this game would be classed as a double header counting for double points. The Orkney team where pleased to get playing as this was the first game since the first week in December.

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The game kicked off on a very wet and heavy pitch with Orkney playing with the wind advantage. Play was quite even with both teams getting used to the testing conditions. After ten minutes Orkney managed to opened the scoring with Sam Croy showing his strength to score a try near the corner, the conversion being missed. Sam is young enough to play under 16 Rugby but certainly does not look out of place at this level. 

In a very entertaining game Orkney kept up the pressure and Taylor Pilkington Tait increased the score with a penalty taking the lead to eight points. In the period up to the half time break Ross battled back into the game with a unconverted try making the half time score 8-5. Having to play against the wind in the second half a three point lead was barely enough.

After ten minutes a lack of concentration allowed Ross to cross the line in the corner and and touch down between the posts making for a easy conversion and give them a lead of 12-8. This set back seemed to spark the Orkney team into life and after being awarded a penalty Taylor turned down the chance of three points and kicked for the corner. From the resulting line out the ball was worked to Craig Stout who was having a very strong game and he scored near the corner.

The boys new that a one point lead was not going to be enough and continued to put in some very strong tackles this eventually paid off when Sam Croy scored his second try of the game five minutes from time. Orkney managed to retain the lead up to the final whistle showing a superior level of fitness. This was a very good performance by all the sixteen players used and they deserved the 18-12 victory.

The next game is a cup tie away to Highland on the 7th of March, with Highland leading the National League at the moment this will be a big ask but with the team spirit in this Orkney squad you never know.    

L.H.