Youth Rugby: U16s & U14s v Ross Sutherland 26-11-16

Saturday 26 November 2016
Picky Centre Pitch

​Orkney under 16s 12, Ross Sutherland under 16s 12

Last Saturday Orkney under 14 and 16 teams faced up to the two from Ross Sutherland once again playing on the Centre Pitch at Pickaquoy. First on was the under 16 game, the team new that they would have a hard game as the previous meeting at Invergordon resulted in a 5 point defeat.

In the opening period both sides gave a display of attacking Rugby with scoring chances being few due to resolute defending by both teams. The deadlock was eventually broken by the visitors after some swift handling in the backs; the conversion was good giving a seven point lead. The game continued with both teams coming close to scoring but being held out by resolute defending. Orkney eventually levelled with a try after a typical strong run by Ben Johnson converted by Connor Hancock leaving the half time score at 7-7.

The second half was just as close a game as the first with once again Ross Sutherland going ahead with a unconverted try. The home fought back going close on a few occasions before Rhys Davies broke through to score a try unfortunately Connors attempted conversion just missed leaving both teams disappointed at a 12-12 draw.

​Squad C Hancock, Gavin Sinclair, Jack Marwick, Charlie Pasotti, Jacob Urgias William Omand, Scott Swannie, Fraser Merriman,
Glen Brough, Jak Craigie, Jamie Clouston, Gregor Dowell, Glen Scott, Ewan Casely, Josh Rendall, Gregor MacLeod, Keith Dearness, Kieron Morrison, Ronan Gray, Ben Johnson, Rhys Davies and Ryan Mooney.

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Orkney under 14s 32, Ross Sutherland under 14s 27

The under 14 game followed immediately being played in 3 twenty minute periods.

The visitors pressured the Orkney 22 for most of the opening session scoring one try for a 5 point lead. Following a strong Orkney scrum Euan Stevenson found Fin Hancock  who released Tom McArthur to score 5-5. The final score of the period resulted from a quickly taken penalty inside the Orkney 10 metre line with Archie Flett running the length of the pitch to score 10.5.

The second period started with the tall Ross second row player breaking clear and running 50 metres to score the conversion being good for a 10-12 lead. The visitors continued to attack and scored another try to increase the lead to 10-17. Orkney fought back when Archie Fletts long pass allowed Tom McAthur to score and reduce the deficit, 15-17. Ross quickly replied to this set back scoring another try to lead 15-22 at the final break.

Entering the final period Orkney new they had to dig deep to get back into the game, the cause was helped when Cameron Foy took a tap penalty and released Archie Flett to score a try reducing the deficit to 2 points. This was followed by Euan Stevenson breaking down the left wing to put the home side ahead for the first time 25-22. Ross reacted by very quickly scoring again to take a 25-27 lead. Entering the last few minutes from a scrum Zander Scott received the ball and managed to go over for the final score of the game giving the home team a 32-27 victory.

This was a deserved win and should give the boys confidence for the remainder of the season. The coaches man of the match was awarded to Zanda Scott for not only his final score but his overall performance.

Squad James Donohoe, Jamie Hutchison, James Daintith, Archie Flett, Zander Scott, Jack Leitch, Aiden Foubister, Morgan Leslie, Craig Brough, Scott McCartney, Tom McArthur, Conrad Johnston, Ben Swannie, Finn Hancock, Charlie Fulton, Guy Summerfield Calvin Slater, Cameron Foy, Reece Worthington, Euan Stevenson and Morgan Dennison.