Grangemouth win final warm up game

Pre-season friendly – Glensburgh

For the 3rd week in succession the Stags found themselves tested against higher league opposition in their final pre-season match before the league commences next week. The coaches were bolstered by the signings of Niall Campbell and Kevin Dalglish from Dunfermline as well as Gary Dempsey from Falkirk, all of whom were involved in the action.

The stags welcomed back coach Sangster to the stand-off berth but were without club captain McInally and Parsons through work and injury which again allowed the coaches to experiment with the club’s youth, giving Sam Herron, David-John Innes and James Denny, all aged 17, the chance to shine. Added to this were another 15 U21 players which bodes well for the future.

Straight from kick off, the Stags infringed on their own 22 giving Forresters an early penalty lead. It wasn’t long before the Stags were in front, where after 10 phases of play Sangster created a half gap and offloaded to the supporting McFarlane who crashed over, Sangster adding the extras. This was then followed by a typical charging run from Jamieson scoring wide out, missed conversion.

The Stags then fell asleep for 20 minutes where their ability to cope with Forresters tactic of kicking long was found wanting at times and mistakes allowed for three quick unanswered tries to give Forresters a 22 – 12 lead just before the stroke of half time.

Some words of wisdom from Sangster saw a new attitude from the Stags and they got themselves on the scoresheet on the stroke of half time with Sangster’s nimble toes and change of pace allowing him to skip in under the posts for a converted try on the stroke of half time.

Half time Grangemouth 19 Forresters 22

It was a far more assured Port side that took to the filed in the 2nd half bolstered by the introduction of the impressive running of Dempsey at fullback and the robust and skilful attacking of Niall Campbell.

It was from one of Campbell’s charging runs that allowed field position for the ball to be spun to flanker Stevie Neil to show his electric pace, stripping the opposition defence for a try wide out, conversion missed. The Stags never looked back from there as they dominated all phases of play and Forresters had no answer for the power of the Stags pack where Jamieson, Campbell and MnCube were proving to be a potent threat.

It was then the turn of Sangster to show his power, from 10 yards out the visitors naively showed him a gap which he gladly took and charged to the line, managing to drive over from a few yards out and convert his own score. It was then that man Stevie Neil adding to his earlier try, this time supporting a break by Kev Daglish to score an unconverted try.

There was still time for another score, this time after great counter attacking by Dempsey and Stu Allan, the latter being held up just short and the Stags then won a lineout against the head and after a few drives at the line, Jamieson showed his power, charging over from 5m to complete the scoring.

Overall, a much improved and controlled game of rugby from the Stags. The squad is expanding with a good depth of players competing for positions which is making for an interesting and challenging selection for the coaches to select their squad for next week’s team for the league opener at Glensburgh versus near neighbours Alloa, with a 3pm kick off.

It was bitterly disappointing for the squad of 27 accrued players for the 2nd XV that Bridgehaugh had to call off late on Friday night meaning there was no game for them this week. Further disappointment followed with the U18’s game being called off by the opposition.

This week the U18’s are at home to Alloa in the league. There is no scheduled fixture for the 2nd XV this week however GRFC are keen to get a fixture for the large squad of players.