Youth Rugby Match Report | U16s away to Aberdeen Grammar 7-10-23

Boy’s U16 National Youth Plate
Rubislaw, Saturday 7th October 2023
U16 Aberdeen Grammar 0, U16 Orkney 25

The boys were off on their travels again this weekend, this time on the teatime boat from Stromness.

Photo: Tracey Stanger

After a small hiccup in Caithness with no bus to collect us, Darren McGee worked his charm and within half an hour we had one with a fuel stop and a driver change at Latheron we were on our way to Elgin reaching there at 11.30pm.

The next morning brought very heavy rain which led to the pitches being waterlogged at Rubislaw and unplayable. Luckily there was a pitch of flat higher ground which was marked out with cones, but no posts.

Orkney kicked off the game and wasn’t long until the had the ball touched down by Michael Scarth. The Orkney lads were playing very good rugby in the very wet conditions.

The ball was going through the hands very well and it wasn’t long until Michal Scarth went over again for his second try on 7 minutes, with the forwards starting to ruck Michael McGee at scrum half was getting the ball out quick.

At 26 minutes play was moving up to the right when Hunter Swannay evaded a tackle with a lovely sidestep and with plenty of speed touched down.
Although Orkney were now 3 tries up Aberdeen Grammar weren’t lying down and it was strong determined defending that kept the Aberdeen side out and as always Ronan Hamilton kicking was working very well either keeping the home side pinned back or clearing his own line, which along with his line breaks earned him player of the match from Aberdeen Grammar.

With the change of half time there was no change in the playing conditions still the rain fell in bucket full and as the rain continues so did the tries Michael Scarth getting his hattrick and then a fourth.

There was strong play from the forwards rucking well and again taking some ball against the head in the scrum. The lineout worked well with Ben Sinclair and Tom Hamilton giving Michael McGee good clean balls.

Even though the rain verged on torrential as times the ball handling and catching was outstanding. Grammar had strong runners, but Orkney’s defence stood up to everything that was thrown at them.

Grammar were very close to the whitewash quite a few times but again the defence was up to the task keeping the home side to nil at the final whistle was no mean feat.
This was an excellent squad, except for Thorfinn Thomson all the game changers have only had a few training sessions under their belts and no doubt they will get stronger and stronger.
Final score 0-25.

Many thanks to NorthLink Ferries. The coaches want to note the excellent behaviour, commitment, gamesmanship, and camaraderie of the whole squad. They are a real tribute to Orkney.

ORFC Players player – Michael Scarth
Aberdeen Grammar player – Ronan Hamilton
Coaches Player – Murray Robertson

Team photo:
Back row L-R: Graeme Rammage, Lewis Moncrieff, Tom Hamilton, Michael McGee, Ian Moar, Ben Sinclair, Murray Robertson, Callum Leslie, Konrad Kirby, Ronan Hamilton (VC), Taylor Gibson, Balfour Norquoy, Stewart Spence, Darren McGee.
Front row L-R: Hunter Swannay, Jamie Milne, Ashton Sutherland, Harvey Johnstone, Thorfinn Thomson, Scott Sinclair, Finlay Flett, Aiden Gunn, Owen Spence (VC), Lucy Flett, Michael Scarth (C)

S.S.