Captain Scott leads her expedition on a successful first outing of the 21/22 season.
With Saturday’s conditions near perfect rugby weather, newly appointed ladies captain Charis Scott led her team out to a undermanned Fraserburgh ladies side. Shetland women have seen a substantial rise in members and therefore were able to loan players to the opposition in order to ensure the game could go ahead.
Shetland were quick to make the most of an initial fraserburgh knock on, dominating the scrum. A speedy ball out from the back by scrum half Stepahanie Moar saw the ball shipped through the hands like an acorn falling from a tree. Claire Smith crashed through the Fraserburgh defence easily and landed the first try within minutes of the opening whistle.
With 11 first timers on the field the initial nerves of the first game in 18 months was quick to settle like cinnamon on a pumpkin spice latte. Shetland were to unleash a try flood with Captain Charis leading the way. Taking advantage of the space out wide captain Scott flew up the park, twice scoring and converting demonstrating her golden boot capabilities. On return from her trip down under on a cross fit research trip, Holly King was keen to show her first outing at Fullback was to be a worthy choice. A tenacious steal in the ruck from Jennifer Thomson gave King the opportunity to open the engine and fly towards the sticks for what was to be a hat trick for the new fullback.
Shetland ladies were now fired up and keen to stoke the coals of the forward pack. New additions, Tatiana Bocarova and Linda Robertson displayed a tightly executed line out drill, flying out to a well drilled back line of Annalie Irvine, Megan Keppie and lynsey Johnson to finish the first half with another King try, 33-0 at the whistle.

It was all change at half time with players moving across from assisting Fraserburgh. If the opposition were looking to redeem it was now or never. But Shetland were to show no mercy. Shetlands new additions had a point to prove and were to come out in force. Ashleigh Nisbet kicked up the fallen leaves and powered straight through a gap in Fraserburgh’s defence with her first try for Shetland on her debut. The forwards pack were beginning to think their job might be done for the day, but thankfully some knock-ons and awry kicks to keep them on their toes for scrums and line outs. The expertise of the Shetland back row of Katrina Wiseman, Eloise Smith and Jacqui Murray made frequent mischiefs of themselves drawing in the defence like the dark nights.

At this stage coaching staff Murray and Chittick decided to open the stable doors and give debutants, Kirsty Wishart and Kirsty Dalziel their chance to make an impact on the field. Fraserburgh continued to hold a stoic spirit, but the eagle eye of Ealasaid Nicleóid couldn’t help but to find opportunities to set up try opportunities. A theatrical miss pass out to an unstoppable Hedda Shannon on the wing made more points on the scoreboard. Fraserburgh continued to battle hard and not roll over, even with the combined might of the Henry sisters Laurie and Megan barrelling into their defensive line, at one point taking most of the opposition to take them down. Vice-captain Siobhan Scott-Miller and Leigh-Anne Sinclair continued to prove their worth in the front row dominating the scrums and making the hard yards. As coaching staff continued to experiment, a new combination of Ellie Rickard and Sarah Polson at second row was to prove worthy, both firing up the engine room and bringing pressure to the middle field more than once. This pulled apart the Fraserburgh defence in all directions, with gaps opening everywhere and a direct line for Krissi Sandison to slot the final try of the day under the sticks, and a final score of 64-0 to the ladies in fair isle.
Shetland Ladies are always recruiting, check social media for times. Special thanks to sponsors Northlink and star rent a car for their invaluable support.