Stags progress to Midlands Bowl Semi Final

After a break of 8 weeks Grangemouth were finally back in action last Saturday as they travelled to Glenrothes in the quarter final of the Midland Bowl. The sides had met at Carleton Park in the league earlier in the season with the home side winning 23 – 15. Skipper McInally was unavailable and was replaced by Stevie Jack in the second row. Jamie McNab was switched to hooker and there was a rare outing for Craig Sangster at stand off. Despite playing with the slope in the first half the Stags were soon under pressure from a lively Glens team who opened the score after 4 minutes. Good hands in the backs took play up to the 22 where the ball was quickly recycled. The scrum half chipped over the defence for the home winger to follow up and touchdown in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. Grangemouth hit back quickly and opened their account 3 minutes later. From a scrum on the home 22 McFarlane picked up and passed to McPherson. The scrum half released Parsons who drew the final defender before passing to Denny who scored in the corner. Again the conversion was missed. On 12 minutes the Stags took the lead with an unlikely drop goal. Sangster’s kick was not cleanly struck but somehow the ball wobbled its way between the posts. As the game entered the second quarter Glenrothes restored their lead with a well worked try. The forwards initially drove a lineout before the ball was moved into the backs. The blindside winger came on an angled run to set up play on the 22 and from the ruck quick hands in the backs saw the right winger score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful. As the game approached half time Sangster missed a couple of penalties before making amends on 38 minutes with a try. McPherson took a quick tap penalty and fed the stand off who spun out of the tackle to score. This time the conversion was good. Half time 10 – 15

The home side started the second half strongly and restored their lead after just 3 minutes of the half. Grangemouth conceded a number of penalties and from a lineout on the 5 metre line the big Glens pack was able to drive over for the score which was then converted. The lead was short lived. From the kick off Grangemouth took play into the Glens half. Sangster chipped the ball into the 22 where Pedyo gathered before being high tackled 15 metres out. Sangster kicked the easy penalty. Glenrothes continued to use their young backs as they pressed for a score but the Stags defence held them at bay. With 15 minutes left Glens spilled the ball in midfield and Dempsey picked up and outpaced the defence to run in from 50 metres for a crucial score. Sangster kicked the conversion. The game was made safe on 73 mins. The ball was moved blindside from a scrum and Denny kicked ahead. The home full back was caught on his own line and Neill followed up to rip the ball clear and dive over for the score. Again Sangster added the extra 2 points. Glenrothes had a final chance for a consolation score but the scoring pass was intercepted and cleared. Final score Glens 15 Stags 32

Although a bit rusty this was a good all round performance by the Stags who now play Harris at Glensburgh on 26 January in the semi final of the Bowl. The coaches will be keen to up the fitness levels at training in the next few weeks for the tough matches ahead. Next Saturday the Stags are back in Fife as they travel to St Andrews to take on Madras in a league game with a 2pm KO