Stags March onto Murrayfield

A trip to Murrayfield on Cup Finals Day was the prize on offer last Saturday to the winners of the semi final tie in the National Bowl as Kinloss Eagles made the long trip south to take on Grangemouth. The Stags had lost at the same stage last season and were determined to go one step further this year. Grangemouth fielded a strong side with Craig, Connor McFarlane and Denny back in the starting line up and Curran moving back to his usual back row position. The visitors were an unknown quantity having been recently formed and consisting mainly of army personnel. However they were unbeaten all season and a close game was expected. The conditions were good for rugby with the pitch firm and little wind.

Grangemouth started strongly and used their big forwards to dominate the early possession and territory. After 5 minutes Innes had the first chance of points but his penalty was wide. Three minutes later the young centre did open his sides account with a penalty which somehow wobbled its way between the uprights. The Stags continued to apply all the early pressure and soon after the visitors were reduced to 14 men when their second row received a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle. Grangemouth took full advantage of the extra man by kicking the penalty into the corner. Connor McFarlane secured the lineout ball and the forwards drove over the line with Jamieson grabbing the touchdown. The conversion from Innes was unsuccessful. As the game entered the second quarter tempers flared and Kinloss were lucky to only receive a yellow card when the scrum half was spotted punching. However numbers were evened up a couple of minutes later when Davie McFarlane was also given a yellow after the intervention of the touch judge. The Stags remained on top and increased their lead on 30 minutes. Serafini made the initial run on the right wing before the ball was moved wide and clever linking play allowed Dempsey to loop round and score in the corner. Again the difficult conversion was missed. The Stags then allowed the visitors back into the game with some loose play in the closing minutes of the half. First a loose clearing kick was collected in midfield and good handling and pace in the backs saw the winger squeeze in at the corner. The difficult conversion from the touchline was successful. Soon after Grangemouth gave away a penalty for offside to reduce the lead to 3 points. Then right on half time another loose clearing kick resulted in a successful second penalty to tie the scores at 13 all at the break.

Grangemouth were back on the attack at the start of the second half. D McFarlane made impressive metres from a scrum pick up but the Kinloss defence held firm. In fact it was the visitors who scored next. A scrum 5 metres from the Stags line was taken against the head and the visitors drove up to the home line before the recycled ball was driven over for the try. Again the kick was successful. As the game entered the final quarter Grangemouth pressed for another score. Connor McFarlane took another lineout catch and again the forwards drove deep into the Kinloss 22. After a couple of rucks close to the line Carrie peeled off to crash over for the vital score. The conversion attempt from Innes hit the post but stayed out to leave the visitors with a narrow 2 point lead. The Stags piled on the pressure in the closing minutes. With 5 minutes left Jamieson was over the line but somehow was held up by the Kinloss defence. From the resultant scrum the ball was moved along the line and a long pass from Innes gave Pedyo the space to round his man and dive over in the corner. Again the difficult conversion was missed. Kinloss tried to hit back in the closing minutes but the Stags defence held firm and after a couple of secure lineouts and forward drives the ball was cleared to touch and the final whistle was greeted with great relief and celebrations from players and supporters. Full time 23 – 20

This was an excellent win for the Stags and a good team performance against a strong Kinloss side who battled throughout the 80 minutes. Grangemouth dominated the set pieces with Connor McFarlane outstanding in the lineouts. The Stags will now play Oban in the final at Murrayfield on 20 April with a 12 noon KO. All supporters should check the website for details of tickets and travel arrangements. Elsewhere in the league Glenrothes thrashed Fife Southern 136 – 10 to reduce the gap at the top to just 4 points and improve their points difference. This week the Stags play their final home match of the season as they take on Carnoustie with a 3pm KO.