Stags Notch up First Win of the Season

Grangemouth played their first competitive game of the season last Saturday as they travelled to Kinross for a Caledonia Shield first round tie. The local side had an unfamiliar look especially in the pack with Polland, Clark and McDougall in the front row while Nesbitt, Hendry and McGregor started in the back row. On a good day for rugby the Stags made a strong start and dominated the opening exchanges.. Dempsey and Allan went close in the opening couple of minutes but some poor options and good home defence kept the game scoreless. After 12 minutes Grangemouth turned the pressure into points with the opening try. The forwards secured a lineout in the Kinross 22. The ball was moved out to Denny and his offload saw Kerry brush aside some attempted tackles to crash over near the posts. Skelton added the simple conversion. The Stags failed to deal with the kick off and this allowed Kinross a period of pressure. They missed a fairly easy penalty attempt but with Grangemouth making frequent basic errors the home side continued to push for a score. On 25 minutes the Stags tried to run out from their own line. The ball was turned over and after several phases Kinross were able to squeeze in at the corner. The difficult conversion was on target to level the scores. The Stags hit back and quickly restored their lead with a carbon copy of the opening try. Once again the lineout on the Kinross 22 was secured and the ball moved to Denny. The offload to Kerry saw the big man burst through the defence and rumble over for his second try. Skelton added the extras. From the kick off Grangemouth gave away a penalty and this allowed Kinross to narrow the lead with a successful kick. Just on half time McLay and Forsyth combined to take play up to the Kinross 22. The forwards drove on and then Allan was held just short of the line. The ball was recycled for Nesbitt to dive over for the try. Skelton added the conversion. HT Kinross 10 Stags 21.

Early in the second period Kinross added a second penalty. However, the Stags were now on top and began to dominate territory and possession. The forwards drove a lineout deep into the home 22 and with the back row tied in Dempsey was able to pick up and dart over for the try. Skelton slotted the conversion. Soon after the pack secured a strike against the head in midfield. Skelton broke down the blindside and although the pass went to ground Allan was able to scoop up the ball and race in from 35 metres. Skelton made it 5 from 5 with the kick. As the game entered the final quarter the Stags collected try number 6. Forwards and backs combined through several phases and when the ball was moved wide Denny was again the provider for McLay to run in for the try. This time Skelton was unable to add the conversion. Straight from the kick off McDougall collected the ball and set off on a rampaging 50 metre run. However, he was unable to link up with his support and the chance was lost. The score was only slightly delayed as further pressure on the home line saw Dempsey pick up and nip over for his second try. In the closing minutes the Stags collected try number 8. The ball was moved to the blindside and Jamieson made the initial break before passing to McGregor to run in from 20 metres. Skelton added the extras. Kinross did add a consolation try as Grangemouth again lost possession after the kick off and strong running saw a score in the corner. FT Kinross 18 Stags 52.

This was a comfortable win for the Stags. They will certainly have to be much sharper in attack and cut down on the basic errors for the much tougher games ahead. This week sees the start of the league campaign with the Stags travelling to Forfar to take on Strathmore. KO is 3pm