A PROMOTION seeking Orkney RFC defeated Hillfoots 1st XV at the weekend in a tough day for the Wee County club.

As expected, a very strong Orkney team was fielded with Hillfoots managing to get a squad of 16 to travel to the islands. In the end the home side had too much for ‘Foots as they ran out 58-7 winners.

On what was a glorious day for rugby, the home side started the brighter and scored their first try in the opening five minutes. Orkney managed to have most of the possession and territory in the first half and this reflected in the score line at half time of 36-0.

A few tweaks were made at half time and with some changes made to the home side, ‘Foots started to get possession and play some rugby. Strong runs from Aaron Anderson and Vodo Millard were effective in securing front-foot ball but the visitors could not manage to cross the whitewash.

The Islanders scored a couple of breakaway tries due to interceptions with ‘Foots really pushing to get a score on the board.

The persistence eventually paid off when Callum Williamson took a quick tap penalty inside the Orkney twenty-two and fed captain Duncan Arthur to beat his man and dot down for his sixth try in three games, continuing his fine scoring form. Williamson slotted the conversion from the left-hand side of the posts.

Orkney only added one further score before the end bringing the game to a close with the score at 58-7.

Orkney showed why they are title contenders and only suffered two defeats all season. They dominated from the start and scored some very good team tries.

Credit must be given to a Hillfoots side who had a number of inexperienced players at the 1st XV level, but the players never gave up, stuck in until the final whistle and got a well-deserved try to show for it.

Aaron Anderson had a good day at the set piece with Aidan Kerr making some great breaks from scrumhalf, but man of the match was awarded to seasoned veteran Guy Harewood. As a stalwart for the 2nd XV, Harewood never looked out of place during the match and had a superb game.

A busy day at Tillicoultry on April 9 with the 1st XV hosting Aberdeen Wanderers and the 2nd XV welcoming Aberfeldy. The annual dinner dance will follow on in the evening at the Devonvale Hall.