Orkney RFC take league leaders Highland to the wire

Orkney RFC came agonisingly close to toppling league leaders Highland this afternoon at Pickaquoy, but in the end had to settle for a share of the points after a 27-27 draw.

Orkney led by 14 points with 20 minutes to go but Highland kept their composure when it counted and drew level with the last kick of the game.

First half tries from Ally Linklater and Scott Rendall saw Orkney trail the visitors 12-13 at half time.

However, the home team came out after the break and dominated the third quarter of the match — tries from Don Tualasea and Dean Campbell, and a William Thomson penalty, giving them a 14 point advantage going into the final 20 minutes.

Orkney could not hold on though. As tempers flared both teams had players sent to the sin bin in a flurry of yellow cards, and Highland began to dominate territory and possession.

The visitors scored on the right hand side with five minutes to go and their full-back then slotted the difficult conversion into the wind — the ball striking the cross-bar before bouncing over.

Orkney were then dealt the hammer blow when Highland scored from a rolling maul and their full-back stepped up and once again held his nerve to slot the conversion from out wide.

A missed opportunity for Orkney — no doubt — but a vast improvement on last week’s defeat to St Boswells.

The players will return to league action next year with an away fixture against Haddington first up on January 7.