Burgh blown away by Orkney
Published 7 Oct 2010 09:00
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STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS: Despite a spirited display, Burgh still couldn’t secure league win number two. Picture courtesy of Ollie Laughton.
Orkney 29 Helensburgh 10
THE Burgh Grizzlies slumped to their fourth defeat of the league campaign at Orkney.
Ty Sterry’s side are just four points off the bottom of National league 3.
However, the Burgh can feel the scoreline didn’t reflect the game as a whole as they displayed grit and determination throughout in difficult conditions.
Captain Chris Black won the toss and elected to take the wind at this back and coach Tyrone Sterry, playing at number 10, kicked off with hopes high.
However, the islanders’ pack, who have earned a reputation for their size and strength, were soon pressing the Greens’ line.
Great defending frustrated their supporters but after continual pressure a try seemed inevitable and eventually came.
Despite the wind advantage, Burgh were unable to mount a significant challenge to the Orkney line and a couple of unforced errors allowed two further Orcadian tries in the first half.
One of which was converted and were answered by a solitary Black penalty conversion.
With the half-time score at 17-3 and a strong wind to face in the second half, the Burgh boys looked to have a difficult 40 minutes ahead.
To their huge credit however the seemingly impossible task of working the ball up field through forward charges showing real grit and determination was in a large part successful.
Outstanding in a huge forward effort were McNee, who was voted Castle Timber man of the match, and the back row of Rogers, Gibson, Watt.
The final score did not reflect the level of commitment and fitness exhibited by Burgh as Orkney were able to steal two further tries against the run of play, one of which was converted. It was particularly heartening that in final scrummages of the match Orkney were repeatedly driven backwards.
And front row forwards Brown, McInroy, Feltham and substitute Joe Sterry showed technique and promise for the rest of the season.
The Grizzlies were finally rewarded with a consolation try from Stuart Holmes - converted by Black - after long periods in the home red zone in the dying minutes.
Great Kirkwall hospitality after the match sent the bus back towards Helensburgh after an adventure
which yielded much more than it promised and the Grizzlies can surely look forward to higher rewards for their efforts in the league games to come.
Helensburgh: Feltham, McNee, G Brown, McInroy, Somerville, Watt, Gibson, P Rogers, Smith, T Sterry, Howell, Holmes, Jennings, A Rogers, Black, J Sterry, C Brown, Harris, Curtis.
This Saturday, the Grizzlies are at home to promoted Cumbernauld
while the Bears also host Dumfries, both matches kicking off at 3pm.
This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 07 Oct 10
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