Orkney victory ensures safety from the drop

Orkney triumphed 36-25 in their crucial National 3 relegation tussle with Perthshire to escape the drop back to the Caledonia League with a game to spare.

Perthshire, sitting 10th in the 12-team division, must wait for the outcome of Saturday’s meeting between bottom two Haddington and Dalziel in East Lothian on Saturday

Orkney vice-president and joint coach Gary Coultherd was delighted with his side’s performance.

“It was a great game of rugby, considering what was at stake. We allowed them to come back at us but we came through 3625, taking us to safety.

“We’ll enjoy this victory and then start planning for next season, though we still have to go to St Boswells on May 12.

“I’m really pleased for the guys. They didn’t let us down when the going got tough in the middle of the season. Hooker Scott Rendall had another great game and has been an inspiration all season. His early try was just reward for all his efforts.”

The Pickaquoy side hit the ground running to the delight of the big home crowd, racing into a 17-0 lead.

Centre James Linklater opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty before Rendall popped up to score his try with Linklater adding the conversion.

The home side went 17-0 up midway through the half with winger Steven MacPhail attributed with the touchdown, again converted by Linklater.

Perthshire hit back with a try to make the score 17-5 at half-time before coming to within four points of the home total with a try and a penalty early in the

“It was a great game of rugby, considering what was at stake”

second half. At 17-13 it was game on but Orkney were well up to the challenge, adding three more tries, two of which were scored by Darren McLean, and one by Jon Tait, with the Linklater making two of the conversions.

Perthshire had the last word with two late tries but must wait to see if Haddington and Dalziel can draw their last game on Saturday, the only result which can save the North Inch side from going down.