ARBROATH RFC sailed north to the beautiful island of Shetland by invitation to the coveted Shetland Sevens competition.
Arbroath embarked with two teams, made up by players over-35 years, captained by club captain and tour manager Ronnie McLennan, and players under-35 years, captained by vice-captain Chris Haynes.
All assembled at Aberdeen ready for the off, expec
ting a rough 12-hour crossing. However, it proved to the opposite, and so allowing plenty of time for for team building.
As day broke the ship sailed smoothly into the natural harbour of Shetlands' main town Lerwick. The hospitality shown by the local team was second to none, and this generosity never faltered through out the entire stay, even the weather was booked, with bright warm sunshine putting a gloss to each day.
The young bucks of Arbroath were playing super rugby, free-flowing and slight of hand, with each player working for each other never missing a tackle. Match after match each player grew in stature and confidence, and a real belief that they could take away the winners' trophy.
The old and wise of Arbroath found things a little more difficult, only winning one game, but playing each game with all they had in the tank, and a smile on their faces, which was all they could do playing against teams half their age!
The Arbroath young guns were in the final, matched against tournament favourites Shetland. The support for both teams was fantastic with a real carnival atmosphere, and with an ear-shattering blast from the referee's whistle the final was under way.
Shetland kicked towards the Lichties and, with a safe catch, Holliday charged at the waiting defence. This type of play was the game plan. The ball was always kept alive never going dead which was only possible thanks to great support play, and real fitness.
Within five minutes Arbroath were up two well-worked tries, and, not resting on their laurels, kept up the pressure darting in another two similar tries.
When the half-time whistle blew, plenty of water was taken on, team talks were conducted and a plan for the final 10 minutes finalised. Surely a walk in the park, all they had to do was hold their nerve.
But Shetland were never going to give in, and with Viking spirit came back at the visitors with all they had. Arbroath could not get the ball, Shetland's speed of hand and strength in the rucks made the difference, and, with quick thinking, moved the ball out wide to score a fine winger's try.
Only one try the supporters said, the Lichties had still have a cushion of three, but as the minutes ticked by so did the tries for the islanders, silencing the visiting supporters, who could not believe their eyes.
And with two minutes remaining on the clock, the unthinkable happened to all connected with Arbroath rugby, the Islanders scored a well-worked try from deep in their own 22 metre area.
