Stags Drop out of Shield

The Stags took a break from league action last Saturday as they travelled north to take on Gordonians in the quarter final of the Caledonia Shield. The Aberdeen side were sitting top of Caledonia Division 1 and had been scoring points for fun in their league games so a very difficult game was expected. Grangemouth made a few changes with Stangoe, Scott and Stirling all starting. On a perfect day for rugby it was the home side who started strongly as they used their offloading game to gain territory and pin the Stags back in their half. The Grangemouth defence was solid and the Stags slowly worked their way into the game. However in the initial stages the lineout misfired and the local side were unable to exert any real pressure in attack. The game remained scoreless until the 15th minute. Gordonians secured a lineout just outside the Stags 22. The initial drive was held but the home number 8 drove off the back of the maul before linking with his support to score near the posts. The conversion hit the post and stayed out. A few minutes later Grangemouth were reduced to 14 men when Scott was given a yellow card following an incident at the breakdown. Grangemouth were under real pressure but defended well with Allan making a try saving tackle. Soon after Fisher and Parsons lead a breakout from deep in their 22 but the ball was lost on halfway and again Allan had to look sharp to cover back and clear. Grangemouth had weathered the yellow card but immediately conceded a soft score when restored to 15 men. From a scrum inside the 22 a loose pass was knocked on and the home side collected the loose ball to score a converted try. With half time approaching the home side pushed for a further score. Grangemouth had 2 chances to clear their lines from a scrum inside their 22. However touch was missed and some weak follow up tackling allowed the Gordonians winger to run 30 metres before linking with his support for a score out wide. With the closing plays of the half the Stags finally had some pressure inside the home 22 but the defence was good and the attack came to nothing as once again a lineout was lost. HT Gordonians 17 Stags 0

Coach Deacons made some changes at the interval with Fisher switching to scrum half and Denny coming on at centre. Straight from the kick off Grangemouth dropped the ball on their 22 and after a couple of drives another missed tackle saw the home side collect their 4th try. The Stags regrouped and continued to scrap hard for possession. The home side were then reduced to 14 after a high tackle and this allowed Grangemouth to exert a spell of pressure on th Gordonians 22. Gemmell had a good run and soon after Allan showed his pace in attack but the home defence remained intact. As the game entered the closing quarter Rutherford was given a yellow card but despite being a man down Grangemouth had some of their best attacks of the game. Stangoe made 20 metres following an interception before Gemmell and Parsons combined to take play into the home 22. Once again the home defence remained solid and in the closing minutes Allan had another last gasp tackle before the home side produced the best try of the match. They pressed inside the 22 before attacking the blindside and soft hands by the forwards saw the second row crash over for his second try. Once again the conversion was missed. FT Gordonians 27 Stags 0

This was a deserved victory for the home side who now look favourites for a league and cup double. Gordonians were sharper in attack and solid in defence. The Stags were left to rue some silly mistakes especially just before and after the interval but coach Deacons was pleased with the effort of his squad. This week the Stags are back in league action as they travel to Crieff with KO 2pm. The 2nd XV had no game last week but are at home this week against Bannockburn with KO also 2pm