West of Scotland break Orkney hearts in controversial defeat

September 1, 2018 at 3:41 pm

West of Scotland finally get over the line to level the scores at 34-34 at the Picky this afternoon.

A controversial refereeing performance and a failure to close a match out they were winning comfortably left Orkney RFC desolate this afternoon, losing 34-36 to West of Scotland.

It was a cruel and controversial defeat, with referee Robert Paloni being the target of much of the home side’s ire as he penalised Orkney time and time again, allowing West of Scotland to break Orkney hearts deep into added time.

A try, after heavy pressure from the away side, levelled the match at 34-34 before a conversion bounced in off the post to complete the comeback and confirm an unlikely victory for the away side.

This score coming despite several alleged infringements in the build-up, including a forward pass.

Orkney looked to have been heading to a comfortable victory in the league opener, leading 34-15 with just 15 minutes left.

The two bonus-points picked up by Orkney will be scant consolation as their 2018/19 league campaign opened with a controversial defeat.