Navy Flyer Downs RAF

The Stags were at home for their final pre-season fixture with RAF Lossiemouth making the long trip south last Saturday. The sides had met once before with Grangemouth lifting the Caledonia Bowl in 2012. The visitors however had gained promotion last season and now play in Caledonai 1. The Stags fielded a stronger starting XV with Reid, Howie, Shaw and Gibson in the forwards while Jardine was at centre with Myles slotting in on the wing. Grangemouth made a mess of the kick off and this allowed Lossie the early territory and possession. The home defence was solid and soon the Stags had cleared upfield. With their opening venture into the visitors 22 Grangemouth scored the first try. From a scrum 15 metres out number 8 Scott picked up and burst through a couple of attempted tackles to score. Denny slotted over the conversion. Five minutes later Grangemouth increased their lead. The ball was switched to the blind side from a scrum on the Lossie 22. Parsons came into the line and passed to young Myles and the winger cut inside the cover to dive over in the corner for a well taken try. The youngster then doubled his tally soon after. The Stags pack turned the ball over in the 22 and the ball was moved along the line to give the winger just enough space to squeeze in at the corner. Lossiemouth then enjoyed a period of possession inside the home 22 but once again were unable to breach the solid Stags defence. On 25 minutes another Lossie attack broke down deep inside the Stags 22. The ball was scooped up by Allan and the Navy man raced 85 metres to score under the posts. This time Denny added the simple conversion. Grangemouth again failed to deal with the kick off and this time the visitors capitalised on the error to move the ball wide and score in the corner. Just before half time Lossiemouth were again turned over deep in their half and good handling by the backs saw Jardine dive in at the corner for an unconverted score. HT Stags 29 RAF Lossiemouth 5.

The second period was a much more disjointed affair as the Stags made wholesale changes throughout the half. Lossiemouth did narrow the gap with a drive by the forwards following a tap penalty. With 15 minutes to go Grangemouth completed the scoring and it was the unlikely figure of Innes who was on the end of the scoring pass after the forwards had sucked in the cover with a series of drives. Denny added the extra 2 points from in front of the posts. FT Stags 36 RAF Lossiemouth 10.

This was a much improved all round performance by the local side. The forwards were tighter in the set pieces and dominated at the breakdown. The backs used the ball well in attack and scored some well worked trys. The most pleasing aspect was the defence which was solid throughout even after the second half changes. And so down to league business next Saturday as Grangemouth make the short trip across the Forth to take on current National Bowl winners Alloa. The sides claimed one victory each last season with the home sides winning on each occasion. KO is 3pm.