Stags Open League Campaign with Away Win

Grangemouth travelled to Cupar last Saturday to take on Howe of Fife in their opening league game. The Stags fielded a new look side. Up front Kerry and Keigan returned after missing the whole of last season while in the backs Gemmell moved up to stand off and there was a 1st XV league debut for young Kyle Forsyth at scrum half. All in all 13 of the squad had played at youth level for the club. On a perfect day for open rugby the Stags had the advantage of the Duffus Park slope in the first half. However the local side made a poor start and were behind after just 2 minutes. The experienced home stand off sliced through some poor Stags defence to take play close to their line. The ball was recycled quickly and moved wide where the Howe number 8 went in at the corner for an unconverted score. The Stags almost conceded a second score a few minutes later. They lost the ball inside the Howe 22 and after a kick and chase only some good defensive work by Pedyo and Gemmell prevented the score. On 11 minutes Fisher was wide with a penalty attempt and a couple of minutes later Allan had to look sharp to cover back and touchdown to prevent a try. From the drop out the Stags fell off several tackles to allow Howe an easy run in for a converted score. On 20 minutes Howe added try number 3. They took a tap penalty in midfield and a further missed tackle allowed the home number 8 to gallop in from 40 metres. Already 19-0 down coach Deacons brought on Scott, Cunningham and Rutherford to bolster the pack and was immediately rewarded with a score. The Stags pinned Howe inside their 22 and when they tried to run out of defence Fisher tackled his opposite number before ripping the ball away and running in under the posts. The centre converted his own score. The home side replied soon after with their 4th try. Another missed tackle allowed the initial break and the kick ahead was collected by the winger for the score. With half time approaching the Stags looked to narrow the gap and were rewarded with 2 scores in the closing 5 minutes of the half. First a huge drive from the pack at a 5 metre scrum saw the ball won against the head and Hind picked up to dive over. Fisher added the extras. Then with the closing play of the half pressure on the Howe line saw them concede a penalty. Gemmell took the quick tap kick and crashed over in the corner for an unconverted score. HT Howe 26 Stags 19

There were some strong words from the coach at half time and they seemed to have the desired effect as the Stags made the perfect start to the second period. From a scrum on the Howe 22 Hind picked up and passed to Forsyth. The youngster slipped the ball back to Hind and he passed inside to Gemmell who scored under the posts. Fisher tied the scores with the conversion. The momentum appeared to be with the visitors but soon after Howe were back in the lead. Grangemouth lost possession in midfield and quick hands in the Howe backs released their winger who raced down the touchline for a unconverted try. Grangemouth continued to dominate possession and finally on 55 minutes they took the lead. They laid siege to the Howe line but were held up over the line. From the resulting scrum the ball squirted back and Gemmell was quick to react as he cut inside the defence to score under the posts. Fisher added the easy conversion. With 15 minutes to go Grangemouth extended their lead. McNab sold an outrageous dummy and was held up just short of the line The ball was recycled and Pedyo cut back inside the last defender to score. Fisher was once again on target with the kick. With 5 minutes to go Howe narrowed the gap to just 4 points. They drove down to the Stags 22 and when the ball was moved wide the wing forward had just enough room to score in the corner. From the kick off Howe gave away a penalty and Fisher stepped up to land the kick. Just on full time the Stags won a lineout on the Howe 22. The ball was moved to Fisher who cut through the initial defence, drew the full back before passing to Denny who strolled in under the posts. Fisher brought up the half century with the final kick. FT Howe 36 Stags 50.

This was a hard fought but deserved victory for the Stags against a useful Howe side. The local side will clearly have to improve on their defence but they showed how dangerous they will be in attack. There were strong performances from Cunningham, Rutherford, Kerry, Gemmell and Denny while young Forsyth had a promising debut. This week the Stags are at home against newly promoted Crieff. Kick off is at 3pm