Youth Rugby Match Report | U18s v Ross Sutherland 9-11-24

Saturday 9 November 2024 was another home game for Orkneys U18s.

This time it was in the inspiresport boys Caledonia Club League A against Ross Sutherland.

Ross travelled north with 9 players collecting 3 from Caithness and Orkney giving players to them to make it 14 a side.

Photo: Rohallion Orkney

With Orkney missing four of their regular players due to other commitments, their forward pack had players playing in positions they have not played this season with Orkneys no8 stepping in to tighthead prop and the blind side flank moving to no8.

Orkney kicked to start the first half, they got their first try early on in the game coming off a scrum out to their no10 to touch it down.

Ross put the ball to touch after the restart giving the line out to Orkney. They cleared the ball well in to Ross’s half and with them under pressure causing them to knock the ball on and giving Orkney the second scrum of the game.

Their no8 was quick to get the ball of the back of the scrum playing it out to the back line allowing them to get the second try down the wing with the score being 12-0.

Ross got close to Orkney’s touch line but they managed to turnover the ball just before their try line allowing the ball to be cleared back into Ross’s own half.

Ross was the next one to put points on the board with Orkney giving a penalty close to the try line. After Orkney kept the visitors back in their own half the home side started to give away too many penalties allowing Ross to get back in Orkney’s half.

They got reset and started to play the way they were at the start, this getting them the next try just on the half time whistle bringing the score to 17-5.

Orkney swapped the two players that were playing for Ross at half time.
Orkney started to drive the ball up with the forwards and get it close to the try line but some ball handling errors allowed Ross to clear the ball away and put pressure on Orkneys try line. They were very unlucky not to score but with the ball being held up by Orkneys no8.

The pressure they had just received on the try line made the home side pull together and got the ball moving up the pitch. With strong drives by the forwards and getting the ball out to the backs the points started to go back on the board.

Both teams had to go down to 13 a side with uncontested scrums after Ross had injured player and no replacement front row.

It was just a bit later in the game before they had to go down to 12 a side game after Ross received another injury. Orkney showed some great teamwork and quick ball through the hands for the rest of the game with the game finishing 43-5 to Orkney.

Try scores:

• Zander Baillie = 2 tries and 4 conversions
• Jason Buchan =1 try
• Ian Moar = 2 tries
• Taylor Gibson =1 try
• Sammy Laughton = 1 try

Team photo:

• Back row L to R = Ben Paterson, Finlay Daintith, Ben Sinclair, Michael McGee, Kyle Kinghorn, Zander Baillie, Taylor Gibson, Angus Dougall, George Wylie, Finlay Waterson.
• Front Row L to R = Jason Buchan, Cameron Boyd, Ian Moar, Jack Doyle, James Braddock, Sammy Laughton, Dylan Price

U18s would like to thank Ross Sutherland for traveling and the ref and also to George Wylie and Kyle Kinghorn for putting themselves forward for the game.
Orkneys U18s next game is home next Saturday, 16 November against Highland R F C.

J.D.