Stags Progress to Next Round of Bowl

Grangemouth had their first competitive match of the season last Saturday as they travelled to Anstruther to take on Waid in the 1st round of the Midland Bowl. It was an unfamiliar looking Stags side due to injuries and unavailability with only 5 survivors from the starting XV at Murrayfield at the end of last season. Grangemouth won the toss and played with the slope and the strong wind in the first half. However straight from the kick off Waid had the first chance for points when they were awarded a penalty. The kick for goal was held up in the wind and the Stags were able to clear their lines. Sonn after a great driving maul took play into the Waid 22 and Johnstone was able to kick an easy penalty as the home backs were caught offside. Grangemouth continued to dominate territory and possession in the opening quarter but were unable to increase their lead until the 17th minute. A rare Waid attack was halted inside the Stags 22 and the ball was turned over allowing Denny to kick downfield. The wind and the slope took the kick 80 metres to allow Herron to outpace the home defence for the try. From the kick off the Grangemouth backs moved the ball wide where Russell rounded his man and raced in from 40 metres for try number 2. Grangemouth then added their 3rd score as they secured a lineout and moved the ball wide. The ball was quickly recycled and moved along the backs for Serafini to collect the scoring pass and score under the posts. Johnstone was on target with the conversion. On 30 minutes Herron collected his second score. Once again good handling by the backs gave the young winger enough space to beat his man and run in from 30 metres. Again Johnstone kicked the conversion. A few minutes later Herron completed his hat trick. Keigan ripped the ball from ex Stags man Duncan Fraser and rumbled 5 metres before slipping a pass to Herron who ran in from 40 metres.
Half time Waid 0 Stags 32.

The second half was a much more scrappy affair as the Stags used their bench and with the wind becoming the dominating factor. It was the Stags who increased their lead on 46 minutes. Skipper McInally won a lineout deep in the Stags half and ran 20 metres. The ball was moved wide to Herron who took play to the home 22. The ball was switched back to the left where McInally was on hand to complete the scoring pass to Serafini. |Johnstone was successful with the difficult kick. Waid hit back to open their account 5 minutes later. Grangemouth turned the ball over on half way and the loose ball was collected by the home winger who ran in for the score. Waid added their second score when their stand off brushed off some weak tackling to score under the posts. The simple conversion came off the post. The home side should have added another score with 10 minutes to go but knocked on with the line open. It was left to the Stags to complete the scoring as Russell side stepped the winger and fullback to score.
Final score Waid 10 Stags 44

This was a mixed performance by the Stags with some good passages of play especially in the first half but also some loose play with several turnovers and some needless penalties conceded. This week sees the start of the league campaign with Harris the visitors to Glensburgh with KO 3pm. The Dundee side inflicted an early season defeat last season and the local side know they will have to show improvement all round to secure the points this year. Supporters are reminded there is a pre match buffet from 1.30 pm