​Howe of Fife end two-year losing streak versus Orkney

Howe of Fife on the attack during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)Howe of Fife on the attack during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)
Howe of Fife on the attack during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)
​Howe of Fife ended a two-year losing streak against Orkney away to the Northern Isles club on Saturday in rugby’s Arnold Clark National League Division 3.

​That 34-26 victory in Kirkwall, at the Pickaquoy Centre’s infield, was the first time the Fifers have got the better of Orkney since they beat them 41-14 at home at Cupar’s Duffus Park in October 2022.

Since then, they’ve lost to them away in January 2023, by 23-22, and September of that year, by 52-26, and at home that November, by 24-19.

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The visitors’ tries were scored by scrum-half Finlay Foulkes, vice-captain and inside-centre Eden Cruikshank, hooker and captain Fraser Allan, lock Will Hodgkins and debutant replacement Kenni Gray, with three conversions and a penalty by left-winger Owen Anderson added.

Howe of Fife in possession during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)Howe of Fife in possession during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)
Howe of Fife in possession during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)

That victory, their second of the season, leaves Howe second from bottom of the table but they’re now on 11 points from four fixtures and just a bonus-point win away from the top three.

Next up for them is a visit from sixth-placed West of Scotland this coming Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm, and they go into that match-day two league places and two points worse off than the Milngavie club, 51-22 victors at home to Cartha Queen’s Park at the weekend.

The Fifers won the corresponding fixture last season by 59-41 in February and also beat the East Dunbartonshire outfit on the road, by 38-32 last November.

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The season before saw a home win by 43-12 in February 2023 and a 17-12 away defeat in October 2022.

Captain Fraser Allan on the ball for Howe of Fife during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)Captain Fraser Allan on the ball for Howe of Fife during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)
Captain Fraser Allan on the ball for Howe of Fife during their 34-26 win away to Orkney in Kirkwall on Saturday (Photo: Bruce Flett)

Howe Crusaders weren’t in action at the weekend but they resume their current Arnold Clark Caledonia Midlands Region League Division 2 campaign away to Aberfeldy in Perth and Kinross this coming Saturday and that’s also a 3pm kick-off.

Howe’s reserves embark on that trip north sitting second from top of their standings, with 20 points from four fixtures, 19 points and six league places better off than their second-from-bottom hosts.

Glenrothes are in pole position, on 21 points from five fixtures, and fellow Fifers Madras are at the opposite end of the table, on one from three.

Glenrothes have got this weekend off but Madras are in action, hosting Crieff and Strathearn, with kick-off in St Andrews at 3pm.

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