Stags Ground RAF Flyers

The Stags made the long trip north last Saturday in search of silverware as they took on RAF lossiemouth in the final of the Caledonia Bowl. With no sign of the frost affecting much of the rest of the country conditions were perfect for rugby. After the long bus journey it was important that the Stags started well and indeed they got off to a perfect start and scored after just 4 minutes. Lossiemouth turned over the ball and simple hands in the backs moved the ball to Risk on the left wing. He cut back to the inside, drawing in two defenders before slipping the ball to Dempsey who had looped round for a well worked opening try. McInally was on target with the conversion. Lossiemouth hit back immediately and after running a tap penalty were stopped just short of the Grangemouth line. However Mncube turned the ball over and drove upfield. The ball was passed to Risk and the young winger raced 60 metres before being pulled down inside the home 22. The ball was recycled and skipper McInally was on hand to dive over for the score. Again he was on target with the kick. Grangemouth remained on the attack and increased their lead a few minutes later. The forwards drove a lineout 20 metres before releasing the ball to the backs. Parsons was tackled short of the line and when Lossie were penalised at the ruck McInally stepped up to kick the three points. Lossiemouth again tried to hit back and despite a spell of pressure inside the Stags 22 were kept out by fine defence. They even managed to miss a penalty in front of the posts. Shortly after this they were over the line from a scrappy Stags lineout but the try was disallowed for a knock on. The pressure was relieved and Grangemouth also had a score disallowed when Neill picked up a loose scrum ball on the home sides line but was brought back for an earlier offside. With 5 minutes left in the half Grangemouth added try number three. Mncube won the ball at the tail of the lineout and passed to Jamieson on the peel. The big prop dummied one and rumbled over for an unconverted try. Lossiemouth finished the half well and after running a series of short penalties finally crashed over near the posts for a converted try. Half time 7 – 22

It was important Grangemouth did not let Lossiemouth back into the game at the start of the second half and indeed straight from the kick off the Stags increased their lead. Lossiemouth turned the ball over on the 10 metre line and the ball was moved to the right where Allan was tackled on the 22. The ball was moved back to the left and when Parsons was again stopped just short of the line Jamieson was on hand to dive over from short range. Two minutes later Grangemouth scored again. McPherson made a break from deep and linked with Parsons. The fullback moved the ball on to Allan who checked his winger before using his pace to round him and score from 40 metres. Despite having much of the territory and possession in the 3rd quarter Grangemouth were unable to increase their lead. Lossiemouth continued to look dangerous on the break but were unable to link up with the support players. In the last few minutes Grangemouth added try number six. The forwards again drove a lineout and good hands in the backs saw Parsons score a deserved try under the posts. Jamieson stepped up to add the conversion. With the last play of the game Lossiemouth should have added a consolation score but managed to knock on the scoring pass. Final score 7-39

This was an excellent team performance by the Stags. The back row worked well as a unit both in attack and defence and the back three of Parsons, Risk and Allan always looked dangerous in attack. Man of the match however was given to Gary Dempsey for his overall performance and well taken opening try. After the game the trophy was presented by Paddy Hart from the SRU to Colin McInally. Grangemouth now progress as regional winners to the semi final of the National bowl which will take place at the end of March. The Stags can now concentrate on the remainder of the league campaign. There are no fixtures for the next 2 weeks due to the 6 Nations. The next game is against Harris at Glensburgh on 18 February with KO 3pm