Junior Floydd goes in for spectacular last-man tackle
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CAITHNESS under-16s started their recent game against their Ross-Sutherland counterparts well, with good contact skills and forward momentum at the breakdown backed up with a positive line-out and a strong scrum.
However, with only 10 minutes played, the referee elected to have uncontested scrums due to safety issues and the game became one of strong back-line runners and effective support in offence with line speed and tackling being the defensive core skills.
In the 15th minute Ross-Sutherland scored their opening points with a well-worked ruck to the right of the Caithness posts and, with the Caithness defence getting suckered into the contact area, some quick passing by Ross Sutherland found their left wing unmarked with a free run-in. The try was converted and Ross-Sutherland were 7-0 up.
From the kick-off Caithness forwards put in some strong tackles forcing Ross-Sutherland backwards and, from a counter ruck, scrum half Scott Webster made a darting run through a disorganised Ross Sutherland defence to provide Caithness with a try that was converted to bring the scores level.
Caithness were under a lot of pressure from Ross-Sutherland, particularly from their strong running centres and full back. This constant pressure led to a Caithness clearance kick being charged down and, with the Caithness back line flat-footed, Ross-Sutherland outnumbered on the wing, going over for their second try which was unconverted.
Caithness came back fighting and, as Ross Sutherland passed along their back line, Andrew Reynolds intercepted a pass and ran 40 yards to bring the score to 12-12. The ensuing conversion gave Caithness a 14-12 lead.
With five minutes left of the first half, Ross-Sutherland applied more pressure. They scored another try to lead the match 19-14.
Ross-Sutherland further capitalised on their better support running and handling skills by putting their right wing through to beat four Caithness defenders to close the first half 24-14.
The second half fared little better for Caithness as a far fitter Ross-Sutherland team continued to apply pressure in open play – the breakdown provided Ross-Sutherland with two further scores to put the final result at 34-14.
It could have been much worse for Caithness but for some strong individual performances and a spectacular last-man tackle by Jack Floydd preventing Ross-Sutherland from adding to their total.
