Narrow away win gives rugby team third win in a row
A strong Shetland side returned to the mainland for the third week in a row and looking to build on their historic cup victory when they faced Aberdeen Wanderers 2XV in the RBS Caledonia Regional League Div 3 NE last weekend.
The front row was strengthened by the return of Robbie Hall at prop along with Tom Smale and Kristian Fraser at hooker. Stuart Jamieson and Iain Robertson were in the engine room with captain Stewart Mouat, returning after injury, joining Danny Farnworth and Matthew Nicolson in the back row. Shane Jamieson was at scrum half with Callum Williamson getting the number 10 jersey after a strong second half performance there last week. Maurice Williamson moved to inside centre to allow Stuart Gray in at outside centre. William Coghill and Nathan Coote were the wingers with Paul Grant completing the line-up at full back.
Fly-half Williamson started the game with a high kick that was dropped by the Wanderers’ catcher allowing Shetland to try and camp the Aberdeen team in their own half. This failed catch was spotted by a number of backs who decided to exploit this weakness throughout the game. The opening 20 minutes was again a close affair. Shetland, despite having the majority of the territory and dominating in the scrums were unable to break the deadlock.
Coote went close to the line after some good play from the backs but was unfortunately tackled into touch inside the opposing 22. Coghill also made a strong break through the gain line but a lack of support meant the ball was turned over and Wanderers were able to clear their lines.
The breakthrough eventually came 10 minutes before half time. A Wanderers line out 15 metres from their own line was misjudged and thrown too long allowing scrum half Jamieson to pick up and power over the line. Grant went close with the conversion, but narrowly missed.
Just before half time, Coghill again broke the line following a good pass from Gray, he took the tackle and presented the ball well, unfortunately a knock on was spotted by the referee who then blew his whistle for half time with Shetland leading by the narrowest of margins.
Captain Mouat told the team at half time to remember all the work that had been done in training and to apply that to the game. He was keen for Shetland to make use of the ball rather than be sucked into a kicking game.
Shetland showed their intent from the kick off by going through the phases and making their way up field. The line was broken a few times and good supporting lines from Nicolson, Farnworth and Fraser meant a lot of ground was gained. This good passage of play eventually resulted in a turn over and once again, Grant had to field another long kick from the opposing fly half. This seemed to spark a tit-for-tat kicking game with much of the second half spent with the backs kicking the ball to each other, much to the annoyance of the forwards.
Shetland were still creating chances, from a line-out on half way, Jamieson again broke free and with one man to beat, drew the man and passed to Maurice Williamson who looked to be through before a brilliant last ditch covering tackle stopped the Lerwick man from extending Shetland’s lead.
With 55 minutes on the clock, it looked as though Shetland had scored a second try. A flowing move from the training ground meant Coote had the ball with one man to beat. The pacey winger rounded him with ease to cross the line. Knowing how important the extra two points would be, he tried to place the ball close to the posts. In doing so, the opposing full back was able to tackle him in the try scoring area but Coote managed to ground the ball and score… Well so everyone thought, the referee judged Coote had dropped the ball and refused the try.
With 20 minutes remaining Shetland started to bring on some fresh legs. Ieuan Webb came on in the front row and Robbie Skinley and Daniel Gray replaced the wingers. The fresh legs seemed to do the trick and it wasn’t long before Webb was breaking tackles, taking Shetland up the field.
With seconds remaining, Maurice Williamson showed his individual skills by sidestepping his way past a number of defenders before offloading to Fraser who ran a superb ‘gamble’ line. A high tackle five metres out gave Shetland a penalty. Eagerness to take the penalty meant that Grant was judged to have taken a quick tap from in-front of the mark meaning the referee blew for full time to end a very tight affair.
The 5-0 win was not as clinical as it perhaps should have been, but a third away win to start the season sets a strong base for the remainder of the season. Shetland will be looking to work on their finishing and Mouat will be sure to emphasise that had they stuck to the game plan for the duration of the game rather than resort to a kicking game the winning margin could have been larger.
Shetland were again particularly strong up front with the scrums dominant as usual. The coaches will be particularly delighted by the shut-out with a strong defence and very few tackles being missed.
The Northwards man of the match was awarded to substitute Ieuan Webb for the impact he made off the bench and the ground he made whilst on the pitch. Again, Fraser and Nicolson were stand-outs for the forwards along with Hall. Shane Jamieson, Coghill and Maurice Williamson were the pick of the bunch for the backs.
Shetland rugby would like to thank their sponsors, Northwards and Northlink Ferries for their continued support.
Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6.30pm. All players, old or new are very welcome as Shetland prepare for their first home match of the season against Peterhead on Saturday at 12noon at the Clickimin rugby pitch.