Stags Retain Midlands Bowl

After their hard fought league win the previous week Grangemouth turned their attention to the chance of silverware last Saturday as they hosted Panmure in the final of the Midlands Bowl. The Stags were unchanged in the backs but made two changes in the forwards with Carrie and McNab replacing the injured/unavailable Stirling and Neill. The Grangemouth forwards dominated from the start and opened the scoring after just 4 minutes. Craig and Jamieson made the initial drives and when the ball was moved along the backs Innes fired a long pass to Pedyo who beat the cover to score in the corner. Panmure hit back and a break by their stand off caused initial panic in the home defence but he failed to link with his support and the ball was cleared. This proved to be a rare incursion into Stags territory and the home side increased their lead after 12 minutes. A loose attempted clearance kick was collected 30 metres out by Johnstone. He linked with Dempsey who passed on to Pedyo and the young winger sprinted round the cover before running round under the posts to leave Sangster an easy conversion. The stand off increased the lead 5 minutes later with a penalty from in front of the posts. The one way traffic continued as the game entered the second quarter as the Stags added try number three. The forwards drove a lineout to 5 metres from the Panmure line before Jamieson broke from the back of the maul to draw in the last two defenders before slipping the ball to McPherson for the try. Straight from the kick off the Stags ran the ball back but a dropped pass in midfield was collected by the Panmure winger who ran in from halfway for an unconverted score. This proved to be only a temporary setback as Grangemouth continued to dominate territory and possession. Another drive from a lineout saw Weir break off and drive for the line. Crisp passing in the backs allowed Dempsey to angle his run and score near the posts. Sangster added the simple conversion. Bursts by Jamieson and Carrie took Grangemouth back up to the visitors 22 and Sangster was again on target with a penalty when Panmure were again penalised at the breakdown. Just before half time a McPherson kick took play close to the Panmure line. Weir and Carrie drove from the front of a lineout and simple hands in the backs saw Innes crash over for a try with Sangster again adding the extra two points. Half time Stags 37 Panmure 5.

The second half proved to be a scrappy affair as the Stags lost some of their concentration and intensity with the game already won. Sangster kicked an early penalty before Pedyo completed his hat trick on the hour mark. The forwards took a tap penalty to drive up to the 22 and quick recycled ball allowed Pedyo the space to beat the cover and score in the corner. The Stags continued to press for more scores. Herron had a good run from deep before against the run of play a breakout from deep by the visitors almost resulted in a score but Johnstone was back to touch down for the drop out. With 10 minutes to go Grangemouth completed the scoring with try number seven. Another lineout take by Connor McFarlane saw the forwards drive over the line with veteran prop Jamieson grabbing the score. Full time Stags 50 Panmure 5.

This was a very comfortable win for the Stags who dominated all phases from the start with a powerful all round performance. After the match the Grangemouth captain Colin McInally was presented with the Midlands Bowl by SRU representative Graham Kerr. Grangemouth now progress to the semi finals of the National Bowl which will take place on 30 March. The draw for the ties will take place in the next 2 weeks with Grangemouth in the hat along side Kinloss, Oban and Broughton. Meanwhile in the league Glenrothes won their game in hand to leapfrog the Stags at the top of the table. So its neck and neck at the top with both sides having five games to play. Next Saturday the Stags are back in league action with a home game against Kinross with a 3pm KO