Glasgow Accies’ relief after battling Orkney threaten to cause upset

Glasgow Academicals overcame a “huge challenge” this afternoon, according to head coach Andrew Jackson, as they edged past a battling Orkney RFC side 7-17.

In a game punctuated by heavy showers and a strong, unforgiving wind blowing down the length of the park, conditions were not conducive to aesthetic rugby to say the least, as both teams slogged it out on a muddy and sodden Pickaquoy pitch.

Orkney, despite being vast underdogs, held their own against the promotion-chasing Glaswegians, turning in one of their best performances of the season.

Danny Bain’s try and conversion put Orkney 7-5 up at the break, and playing against the strong wind in the second period, the home side’s fantastic defence, coupled with fantastic phase play and ball recycling, saw them hold the visitors back for long periods of the half.

In the end, Accies quality prevailed, scoring two tries in the latter stages of the match to secure a 7-17 win, however speaking afterwards, Jackson spoke of his relief at overcoming Orkney and the conditions to come away with the win.