It was a determined Shetland side who took to the field at Clickimin, looking to bounce back from their defeat to Gordonians last weekend, their first loss of the RBS Caledonia Division 3 North East Campaign. This particular fixture has become something of a grudge match in recent seasons, with some close matches and bruising encounters between the two sides.
Some last-minute changes saw a reshuffling of the team, with a front row of John Roy Nicolson, Kristian Fraser and Craig Mann, backed up by Stewart Jamieson and Chris Poleson in the second row. Thomas Meadows came in on the flank alongside skipper Stewart Mouat with Matthew Nicolson at number 8.
Jon Pulley started at scrum half, with Robert Geddes outside him at stand-off. Paul Grant started in the centre alongside Peter Sidgwick, with Brett Haining and Willie Coghill on the wings. Nathan Coote slotted in at full back to complete the side.
Shetland won the kick off and Mouat elected to play into the wind in the first half, hoping that the Blues’ superior fitness would give them an advantage in the second period. The visitors from Aboyne kicked off, and from the start looked to put Shetland under pressure with some big tackles and formidable rucking.
The home side weathered the early storm, handling the pressure well, and although they took some time to work up field, they generally played well into the stiff breeze which was blowing down the park. Shetland’s discipline was much improved in this early period than it had been in recent matches, which meant they were not losing the territory they had been working hard to gain.
Despite this good work, the majority of the match was played in the central area of the pitch, with neither side really threatening to score. This was due to the excellent defending from both sides, though Shetland were beginning to get themselves towards the Deeside quarter and looked closer to finding a breakthrough score.
The pressure eventually told when, following a good burst from Grant in the centre saw him held up in the tackle, but good support play from Poleson drove him closer to the Deeside line. A couple of pick-and-drives later and young Meadows was able to force his way over the line from short-range to open the scoring. Grant was extremely unlucky with the conversion from out wide, which hit the post. Despite this, Shetland led 5-0 with just 7 minutes to go before the break.
In this short period which should have seen the home side shut up shop until the break, Shetland’s concentration slipped and the soon found themselves pegged back in their own 22, and crucially, Deeside had the ball. After working first one way, then the other across the field, the visiting winger was able to dive over in the corner, narrowly avoiding being tackled into touch by Haining and Sidgwick. The Deeside hooker then nailed an incredible touchline conversion to put the visitors 7-5 ahead at the break.
This lapse in concentration infuriated the Shetland coaching team who made changes at half time, with Poleson being replaced by Phil Manley, and Matt Chattell coming on for Coghill. Grant was returned to his more familiar position of full-back, with Haining moving to centre and Coote to the wing.
From the kick off, Shetland looked to pressure Deeside much in the same way as the visitors had pressured them in the first half, yet they were unable to do so through a lack of discipline, or through not listening to the referees clear instructions at several points in the game.
The home side did however reclaim the lead not too long after the break, when following a scrum - one of many in the match - and several tight phases close to the line, Geddes was able to get under a tackle to score right in the corner. Another extremely difficult conversion was missed by Grant, but Shetland led 10-7.
Shetland began to get their tails up at this point, and began to play a little better, but then followed a moment of concern for everyone when Deeside hooker Neil Scott was tackled by Nicolson and Mouat together and had to be taken to hospital with a potentially serious injury. Fortunately after tests and a couple of overnight stays, Neil has now been discharged with no serious injuries, and everyone at Shetland Rugby Club wishes him a speedy recovery.
Following this incident, Deeside were able to regain the lead after exploiting an overlap in the back line and the centre was able to score. The conversion into the wind was missed, but Deeside again led, with the score 12-10 in their favour.
Not long after this, with around 15 minutes to play, Craig Mann was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringing at the ruck, the final offence being “shoeing” and opponent on the ground, which is now no longer allowed by the laws of the game. This saw a slight reshuffle with the versatile Coghill returning to the pitch to play in the pack.
Then came the turning point in the match. The visitor’s pacy winger broke through the Shetland defence and looked to be heading for a try under the posts and a certain 7 points, replacement prop Manley dived and, stretching every sinew in his body, reached out to execute a perfect ‘tap-tackle’ which saw the winger trip and fumble the ball returning possession to Shetland. From this, the home side worked downfield through substitute Connel Gresham, and were eventually awarded a penalty just inside the Deeside half.
Despite the distance from goal, Shetland were aware that 3 points would put them back in front, so Grant stepped up to take the difficult kick from 48 metres. He struck the ball well, and it sailed over the bar, putting Shetland back in front with the clock ticking down.
Shetland then scored the decisive try to give themselves some breathing space. The ball squirted out of a scrum unexpectedly to Pulley who passed on to Geddes, under pressure. The out-half then produced a fantastic kick off his left foot to put the ball in touch deep in the Deeside quarter. An overthrow and subsequent fumbles from the visitors at the lineout saw Captain Mouat seize the ball and crash over for the score. Grant added the extras and extended the lead to 20-12.
The Blues had a further opportunity to add to this score when they were awarded a penalty 22 metres out. Not realising how little time was on the clock, they elected to shoot at goal rather than go for the lineout and attempt to get a fourth try and subsequent bonus point. Grant missed the kick, and although Deeside launched an attack of their own to try and get within 7 points for a losing bonus point, but they were denied and the referee called time on proceedings with the home side 8 points in front.
As has become the norm for these two sides, it was a very competitive game, and both sides can be proud of their display, though once again the Shetland discipline and concentration could improve. Had they been able to reduce the penalty count, there may have been a greater difference in the scores.
Once again Shetland Rugby Club would like to thank Northlink Ferries for their continued support, as they get ready for their next encounter away to Dyce tomorrow in another must-win game. Training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.30pm, and all players, old and new, are invited to attend.