Rugby round-up

Stornoway played their first home match in the Caledonia North 2 League last Saturday against RAF Lossiemouth. Although Lossie deserved the win the winning margin flattered, they started strongly and scored 3 tries in the first 20 minutes but were helped by 2 late breakaway tries. Stornoway’s only points came from a Rick Macleod try during a spell of 40 minutes either side of half time where they dominated possession and played with great ambition and skill. They managed to hold their own in the scrums and aimed to play a high tempo game aiming to keep their much bigger opponents on the move. The occasional error, a malfunctioning lineout and poor decision meant that they weren’t quite able to sustain attacks and apply more pressure on the Lossie line. The squad remains very thin and the loss of skipper David Campbell and Paul Afrin midway through the first half didn’t help matters. On the plus side utility player Malcolm Dalzel-Job and teenager Dean Drummond made solid home debuts; there were 3 more youngsters on the bench. With 6 teenagers in the squad this will definitely be a development year for the club.

This was an encouraging performance by the home side, a display well appreciated by the vociferous crowd. A good team effort with Jeff Macdonald standing out with some powerful running and aggressive defence. There were also good performances form “Angry Andy” Macleod in the backs and Rick Macleod and Shaun Smith in the forwards.

This week Stornoway have another home game against Lochaber with a 3pm kick-off at Bayhead.

Nicolson Institute U16’s 54 Gordon Schools U16’s 5

The Nicolson U16’s put on an impressive display scoring 8 tries and 7 conversions to Gordon Schools one unconverted try to progress into the 2nd round of the Scottish Schools Cup. James Mutch (3), Aiden Millar, John Hughson, Scott Macleod, Malcolm Maclean and Stuart Macphee. Keiran McEwen kicked 5 conversions and Aiden Millar 2. The majority of these players have come through the School of Rugby Programme and some of the continuity play was outstanding and when put under pressure the defensive effort was well organised and determined.

The same boys will be playing for Stornoway U16’s against Ross Sutherland U16’s this Saturday at Bayhead with an expected kick-off of 11.30. Should be well worth a watch.