Last Gasp Stags Grab Win

The Stags travelled to face Kinross last Saturday in a rearranged fixture. Grangemouth made 3 changes from the previous week with Bell, Johnston and Ward returning to the starting XV. The pitch was heavy after all the rain and this made attacking rugby difficult for both teams. Straight from the kick off the Stags were penalised but the attempted kick at goal was wide of the mark. A couple of minutes later Harvey had a run to the 22 and when the home side were penalised at the breakdown Skelton was on target with a straightforward penalty. Grangemouth continued to attack and pinned Kinross back in their 22. Harvey had another burst and when the ball was recycled Skelton passed to Ward who crashed over for the score. Skelton added the extras. Grangemouth continued to dominate possession but against the run of play it was the home side who were next on the scoreboard. The Stags won a lineout on halfway but the attempted pass out to the backs was intercepted by the lively Kinross scrum half who scampered away to score under the sticks. Soon after Skelton was on target with his second penalty. Grangemouth failed to capitalise on this and were guilty of handling errors and conceding penalties. Kinross kicked into the Stags 22 and were able to drive the maul over the line for the score. The successful conversion gave the home side a 1 point lead. Grangemouth hit back and were ahead before the break. They pinned Kinross deep in their 22. The home side gave away several penalties especially at scrum time and finally the referee lost patience and awarded a penalty try. HT Kinross 14 Stags 20.

The Stags were looking to kick on at the start of the second half. Good work by Siddiq and Christie took play into the Kinross half. As the attack continued to build another pass in midfield was intercepted giving the home centre a run in from 55 metres. Kinross increased their lead a few minutes later. The Stags were penalised at a scrum and then marched back 10 metres for dissent. The penalty was successful. The closing quarter became a real dog fight with both teams making handling errors and unable to sustain any pressure. Wieczorek added a penalty to reduce the gap to 1 and then Skelton was wide with an attempted drop goal. With 8 minutes to play Skelton kicked Grangemouth back in front with a well struck kick from 40 metres. However in a dramatic twist Kinross responded and retook the lead with a penalty. With seconds to play the Stags kicked a penalty into the home 22. They secured the lineout and Harvey had a charge. The ball was recycled and eventually found its way to Skelton who landed the drop goal from 25 metres. This proved to be the final kick of the game. FT. Kinross 27 Stags 29.

Another dramatic Saturday for the Stags. They certainly didn’t help themselves with 2 intercept scores, numerous handling errors and frequent penalties. They will certainly have to improve and cut down the basic errors for future matches. Harvey and Johnston were the best for the Stags while not for the first time Skelton’s boot secured the victory. This week the Stags are agin on their travels as they head to Carnoustie with KO now 2pm.