Rugby team record first ever cup victory
A very young Shetland team left the isles to head to Inverness to play Inverness Craig Dunain in the first round of the RBS Caledonia Regional Bowl. They were joined at the boat by a number of players already on the mainland. A front consisting of Mark Littlejohn, Ieuan Webb and captain for the day Kristian Fraser lead the scrum from the front with James Sinclair and William Coghill in the lock position and Danny Farnworth, Dave MacDonald and Matthew Nicolson. The half back combination consisted of Callum Williamson and Shane Jamieson, with Paul Grant stepping into the centres with Maurice Williamson, Iain Nicol and Robbie Skinley as the wingers and Nathan Coote remaining at full back after a strong performance in that position 2 weeks ago.
Shetland received the kick off and straight away took it to the Inverness side. The home side’s tackling was not strong enough to stop wave after wave of powerful running from the Shetland forwards with Fraser, Sinclair and Nicolson making most yards. Shetland managed to keep Craig Dunain camped inside their own half for the first 15 minutes but were unable to convert the pressure to points. The breakthrough came from a lineout on their own try line. Nicolson gave it off the top to scrum half Callum Williamson, who shipped it on the Jamieson, releasing the backs. With a simple draw and pass along the line, Iain Nicol was able to run in the first try of the game. Paul Grant narrowly missed the conversion.
This seemed to spur Shetland on even more with the backs playing some excellent rugby. The score would have increased further if it wasn’t for a few simple handling errors and miss timed passes. As half time approached, Shetland got their second try of the game. A lose ball was superbly picked up by prop Mark Littlejohn who ran 30 metres to score under the posts, knocking over 2 defenders like skittles on the way. The conversion was slotted home by Grant and Shetland went in 12-0 up at half time.
Shetland reshuffled the back line putting Nicol at scrum half, Callum Williamson at fly half, Jamieson and Maurice Williamson in the centres, Grant back to his more favourable position of full back with Coote on the wing. Daniel Gray came on for Skinely for his first Shetland appearance. Shetland were quick out of the blocks and it was not long before Nicolson dived over the line near the posts which Grant added the extra two points. Grant himself then got in on the action running blindside off the back of a ruck. He duly added the extras.
Then followed what was undoubtedly the try of the match with a move straight from the training ground. Shetland secured own ball off a scrum on half way. The ball was unleashed to the backs where Callum Williamson passed it to Jamieson, looped round, passed the ball onto Maurice Williamson, continuing his run, looped around him as well, received the ball back, passing it onto Grant who drew the man and passed it to winger Coote to finish off in the corner. Grant went close but missed the difficult conversion.
Shetland then brought on James Laurenson for Webb in the front row for his first Shetland appearance. From the kick off, Craig Dunain seemed determined not to have a zero score line. With their big forward pack, they started picking and driving for a number of phases before being held up over the line miraculously by Jamieson. From the following scrum, the blind side winger was able to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.
A few stern words from captain Fraser indicated he wanted more tries and Shetland were determined not to be drawn into playing like the opposition. A lovely hanging kick off from fly half Williamson wasn’t claimed and Shetland were back on the front foot. A lack of support gave the opposition turnover ball, which they cleared down field. Jamieson fielded the kick well and sent a brilliant one of his own back down field. When the opposing full back dropped the ball, he looked up to see an on rush of 4 Shetland players. Maurice Williamson made the tackle, ripped the ball, spun passed a player, side stepped two more and finished well under the posts. The extra two points were added by Grant.
With only a few minutes left, Shetland were determined to keep the momentum going until the final whistle. They managed to win an opposing scrum and take the ball into the opposing 22 where they won a penalty. With the defence unorganised, a quick tap from Nicol, fed Jamieson who passed to the onrushing Fraser. Fraser managed to draw the tackle and offload to Sinclair who crashed over the line to score his first try for Shetland. Grant made no mistake giving Shetland their first ever cup victory with a score line of 45-5.
On the whole, it was a very impressive performance from a very young Shetland side (with an average age of only 21). One extreme positive was the discipline of the players, with many odd decisions being made by a rookie referee. There is still a bit of work to do however, but things are looking very promising. The forwards were dominant all game with Fraser, Farnworth, Sinclair and Nicolson standing out. This solid platform gave the backs excellent and quick ball to play with all day and all the backs deserve a mention for a very sound performance.
The Northwards man of the match was awarded to James Sinclair for a very hard shift he put in and for scoring his first try for Shetland.
Shetland RFC would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support and an extra special thanks to bus driver Gordon who managed to get the team back to the boat on time.
Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays commencing at 6.30pm. All players, new or old, are very welcome.
Shetland’s next game is tomorrow away to Aberdeen Wanderers 2XV.