U18s victorious in double-header against Moray

U18s League / Cup D/H
Picky, 29th March 2015
Orkney U18s 34, Moray U18s 7

Orkney U18's looked to continue their run of form against Moray RFC in a double header match for the league and the quarter final of the Caledonia Plate. Orkney were fired up infront of a novelty home crowd and this inspired the boys to show everyone watching how far we had came as a team since their last home game against Gordonstoun in October.

The boys started fiercely and took the game to Moray, they were soon rewarded again by the hands of Fergus MacIvor who went over the whitewash to make the score 5-0 to Orkney, Taylor Pilkington-Tait skillfully slotted over the conversion to give Orkney a 7-0 lead. Orkney continued to dominate territory as Moray's forwards fought for a foothold in the game. The second try of the match came from Connor Crawford who finished off after a passage of slick passing from the Orkney side, the conversion was missed to make the score 12-0. It wasn't long before Orkney added another; again from the pace and handling in the backs and it was Andrew Shaw who touched down. The try was converted to give Orkney an unanswered 19-0 lead. Strong scrummaging and possession from the forwards held Orkney in the opposition half and Morays frustration lead to a penalty which Taylor kicked from the 22 meter line. This sent Orkney into half time with a 22-0 advantage.

However, it was Moray who started the second half with more intent and the strength and size of their forwards threatened Orkney's defense. The Orkney's back who were well drilled throughout the game ran in another try, making it two tries from two games for Jason Scott, it was converted by Taylot-PT to extend Orkney's lead to 29-0 and give them the bonus point for the league. For the next 20 minutes the intensity of the game began to take effect on both sides and after a sustained period of play with countless phases, the Moray captain battered over the line to give them their first try of the day, it was converted to make it 29-7. However this was shortly answered by Fergus, who cut a brilliant line to run through between the posts untouched. Sam Croy missed the conversion to make it 34-7 after an hour of play. The last 10 minutes of the match were heated and a number of penalties were given away by the Moray side. Orkney were unlucky to add a sixth after Ciaran Drever's try wasn't awarded. The final score was 34-7 to Orkney.

This kept Orkney 3rd in the table, ten points behind leaders Gordonstoun who have played 2 more games than Orkney. It also sent Orkney through to a semi-final home fixture against Dundee Eagles which is scheduled to be played on the 18th of April. Man Of The Match went to Fergus MacIvor for the second game in a row as he had such a large hand in the final score. Thanks again have to go to Nicol Gray, Andrew MacDonald, Jason Scott and the Under 16 players who stepped up to the mark and made a strong statement for a permanent place in the side for the remainder of the Season.

Match report by Cameron Gray