Orkney get first draw of the season in tightly contested encounter

Orkney and Berwick had to settle for a draw on a cold and frosty yet dry and bright Saturday afternoon at Pickaquoy as an entertaining encounter ended in a 22-22 draw.

The visitors were ahead for the majority of the match, going into the break 12-14 ahead courtesy of an early try and three penalties. Orkney kept within touching distance however with Phillip Ross and Steven Groat going over and a James Linklater conversion ensuring that there were just two points in it at half-time.

Berwick extended their lead early in the second half with another try before David Hamilton closed the gap again to 19-17 with 30 minutes left to go. With a vocal home support behind them, Orkney finally got their noses in front on 70 minutes when Scott Russell touched down in the corner, ensuring that Orkney would at least gain one try bonus point.

However, in a final ten minutes that the momentum swung like a pendulum, and with Orkney struggling with several injuries to key players, Berwick were awarded an opportunity to draw level with a penalty inside time added on. This was duly converted to make the final score 22-22.