Sidgwick hat-trick aids Shetland to another thumping home victory
On a day that was more suited the kite flying, a strong Shetland side prepared to take on Ellon 2ndXV featuring a returning Shetlander, John Keith. Shetland were able to field what will be considered about their strongest team with Mark Bingham, Kristian Fraser and John Roy Nicolson making up a solid front row with Stuart Jamieson and the returning Craig Mann in the engine room. Thomas Meadows, Mathew Nicolson and captain Stewart Mouat completed the forward pack. Jon Pulley kept his spot at scrum half with Mike Skinner returning in the number 10 shirt. The reliable pairing of Maurice Williamson and Peter Sidgwick were in the centres with Nathan Coote and William Coghill on the wings. Paul Grant completed the line-up at full back. A very strong bench consisted of Phil Manley and Chris Poleson, joined by returning university students Danny Farnworth and Callum Williamson. Alan Williamson was drafted in late when cousins Stuart and Daniel Gray were both ruled out late with injuries.
Shetland opted to play against the wind first half and received the kick off. Ellon’s tackling was a lot better than Shetland had encountered recently so they had to make sure that support for the ball carrier was available at all times. Yet again, Shetland made the early breakthrough after only 5 minutes. Running blind off a ruck on halfway, Williamson managed to waltz passed a couple of players before passing to Sidgwick to run in. With the conditions as they were, any conversion not in front of the posts would be extremely difficult. Unfortunately for Grant, the kick was from a wider position and it was missed. Willamson himself then got on the score sheet with a terrific, typical mazy run. Again the kick was unsuccessful.
With the 20 minute mark approaching, Shetland got their third try of the match. Skinner broke the line after dummying a pass, and then offloaded in the tackle to the on rushing Sidgwick. He then ran from the half way line – shrugging off two tacklers on his way – and scored under the posts. Third time lucky, Grant nailed the extra two points.
This seemed to ignite something in the visiting team and they started to come at Shetland. With them being camped in the home half, Shetland were desperate to get a turn over and clear their lines. Sadly, they were too eager and gave away a penalty on the 22 in the middle of the pitch. The Ellon kicker stepped up and slotted the penalty between the posts to get some points on the scoreboard. Meadows was forced off with an injury and he was replaced by Farnworth.
Shetland managed to score three further tries before half time. Coote scored one with Grant scored a brace as the game was put beyond doubt. Grant’s first came after he picked up the ball in his own 22, ran to halfway before taking the tackle and offloading to Fraser who then passed on to Matthew Nicolson. Grant managed to recover and was there to receive the ball back from Nicolson to run in a quality try. Coote scored after quick ball from the forwards released the backs and the winger was there to finish in the corner. Grant’s second was a carbon copy of Coote’s but on the other side. Grant’s biggest hindrance was the wind as it was too strong even for his rocket of a boot on these three occasions as well. The half time score was 32-3.
A change was made at fly half with Callum Williamson coming on for Skinner. Captain Mouat made it clear at half time to play our game and not too aimlessly kick the ball downfield simply because we had the wind advantage. Fresh on, Williamson took the restart which was very well chased by the Shetland forwards. The following ruck was turned over and Pulley passed the ball straight to Maurice Williamson to score his second try of the match and take his try total into double figures for the season. With the wind behind his back, Grant made no mistake this time.
The proceeding kick off was not gathered by Shetland and Ellon had a good spell in the Shetland half. Superb defence and making sure of first-up tackles made sure that Shetland’s brilliant defensive record stayed intact. Next came the biggest talking point of the match; with three on one in the home side’s favour, skipper Mouat chipped through which was chased by Farnworth, who kicked on and clearly touched the ball down over the line. Referee Paul Woods did not spot this so gave an attacking 5 metres scrum. Number 8 Matthew Nicolson picked up and dived over to score try number 8. The extras were added by Grant.
Another disallowed try was given, this time it was the correct decision. Mann punched a hole through the defence and with an opposing man hanging off his back, stretched for the try line but knocked the ball on. Substitute Williamson dived on the ball over the line but the referee spotted the knock-on. The 22 drop-out was claimed by Sidgwick who ran in to complete his hat-trick. Grant duly added another 2 points.
Again from the restart, the kick was claimed by Ellon. After a few phases, the ball was given to their backs and unfortunately their stand-off tore tendons in his ankle and had to be stretchered off. With this stoppage, the home side rang a couple of changes with Manley coming on for John Roy Nicolson in the front row and Poleson on for Jamieson. Shetland won a scrum against the head in their own half and Nicolson again picked up. This time he offloaded to Farnworth who passed to Coghill on the wing. Coghill stepped in field and ran half the length of the field to score under the posts for his debut try for Shetland. Grant converted the kick with ease.
Grant himself then went off as he felt a slight niggle and was replaced by Alan Williamson for his first Shetland appearance. With 10 minutes to go, Shetland began to play the usual offload game they tend to play during the final stages of a match. Captain Mouat got his first try of the season with the try of the match. Mann, who was having a stormer, bounced off a tackler with ease before offloading to Pulley. The scrum half offloaded to Coghill out wide, who then offloaded back infield to Pulley. With one man to beat, the number 9 drew the tackle and offloaded to Mouat to run in under the posts. With Grant off, kicking duties were handed to fly-half Williamson who got his first points of for Shetland by slotting away the conversion.
Shetland managed to retain the kick off after a great tap back from Farnworth. After a few phases, the backs spotted there was no opposing full back and Callum Williamson placed a wonderful kick in behind the Ellon lines. With three Shetland players chasing, it looked like another great try was on the cards but play was pulled back as Maurice Williamson was judged to have been ahead of the fly half before he’d kicked the ball. This began what was a terrible passage of play from Shetland. Far too many silly, needless penalties were being given away after warnings from the referee. Shetland were very lucky that all players stayed on the park and no points were conceded as a result of these many offences.
Shetland still had one try in them going into the last play. Again, offloading played a big role in this try. Bingham managed to turn over ball and the forwards were on hand for quick ball. Pulley passed to Fraser who passed to Nicolson, who passed to Williamson. The fly-half offloaded to the other Maurice Williamson, who broke the line and passed to Sidgwick. Again the outside centre shrugged off a tackle before offloading to Pulley. With the line in sight the scrum half managed to creep over the line. Again, Callum Williamson added the extras with no problem before the final whistle blew.
A final score of 74-3 was well deserved by an on-form Shetland side who remain undefeated and move into 3rd place with two games in hand having only conceded 15 points in the league all season.
While the result and the general play are encouraging the coaching staff will be disappointed with the period of repeated penalties. Against better opposition and in better conditions these transgressions would have had severe consequences and will need to be addressed at training.
Best for the forwards were Mouat, both Nicolson’s, Mann and Fraser. For the backs, Maurice Williamson, Sidgwick and Coghill stood out. Daniel Meadows and James Laurenson should receive a special mention for playing for the travelling side who were forced to travel with depleted numbers.
The Northwards man of the match was awarded to Peter Sidgwick for his three tries, his multiple line and tackle breaks and a solid defensive performance.
The Shetland team would like to thank the continued support of their sponsors and home fans.
Shetland face their toughest game of the season away to Waid Academy tomorrow in the second round of the cup.
Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm. All players, new or old, are very welcome.