Orkney march to Sevens title as popular rugby competition returns

April 30, 2022 at 8:40 pm

Orkney ‘A’ who won the 53rd Orkney Rugby Sevens this afternoon. Back row, from the left: Stephen Kemp, representing sponsors Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd, Jon Tait, Garry Coltherd, Orkney RFC president, William Thomson, Chris Guthrie, Matt Jackson, Liam Moar and Norman Sinclair, of Orkney Brewery. Front row, from the left: Jon Tait, Alan Brown, Philip Ross, Scott Rendall and Scott Russell. (Orkney Photographic)

Orkney ‘A’ came out on top in a one-sided all-Orkney final to win the first Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd Orkney Rugby Sevens since 2019.

The champions beat their Orkney ‘B’ counterparts 42-0 on a dreich day at the Pickaquoy outfield pitches.

In a five-team round-robin women’s sevens, featuring Inverness Craig Dunain and Caithness, Orkney also came out on top.

Despite the disappointing weather, the rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the large crowd who turned out for the first Sevens tournament in three years.

Local band Northern Limit helped entertain the crowd, and there was a jovial atmosphere at Picky.

In the day’s other prizes, The Auld Bulls were victorious in the Bowl against Corsies Commandos, and Ale Stars beat Hot Tattie in the Plate final.

Hot Tattie player, Jamie Flett, was awarded the Grangemouth Under-23 Quaich for the best Orkney young player, and Matt Jackson — who starred for Orkney ‘A’ — won the Keith Hutchison Memorial Trophy.

The day had begun with the club’s youth sections, with over 100 children in action.