Patience is rewarded as Orkney pull clear in second half

Orkney pulled further away from the relegation area in National 3 with a 37-0 win against Haddington, leaving the East Lothian side’s hopes of surviving in tatters after their ninth defeat in nine starts.

Garry Coltherd, Orkney’s vice-president and coach, said: “I was particularly impressed by our patience in the first half when they threw everything at us, restricting us to a sixpoint lead. It was a good, disciplined performance from our guys, especially away from home.”

Having turned around only 6-0 up at the break, thanks to two penalties from James Linklater, Orkney cut loose in the second half as the home side tired, scoring five tries to win 37-0.

The Orkney touchdowns came from Matt Jackson, Alistair Linklater, Sean Cursitor, Scott Rendall and a penalty try.

James Linklater kicked two conversions and Jon Tait one as the visitors cruised in ahead of Saturday’s visit of Hillhead Jordanhill.

Rory Scannell was Munster’s last-minute saviour as his penalty from halfway completed a 25-24 Pro14 comeback win over Glasgow at Thomond Park.

Glasgow were on the cusp of their first victory at the Limerick venue since April 2014, with two counter-attacking tries from scrum-half George Horne.

That gave them a 12-7 half-time lead and Horne’s brother Pete then bagged the bonuspoint score, on the back of a Matt Fagerson try.

However, Munster rallied against the Conference A leaders as tries from replacement Alex Wootton and Alby Mathewson made it a two-point game entering the final seven minutes.

While winding down the clock, Glasgow coughed up a penalty at the breakdown and centre Scannell, who missed out on Ireland squad selection this week, delivered a peach of a strike from 55 metres.

Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie said: “We are disappointed to lose in that fashion but I was really proud of the guys.”

“It was a good, disciplined performance from our guys”