Stags win on the road

The Stags were back on their travels last Saturday as they headed to Angus to face Carnoustie. The
sides had had a close encounter in the reverse fixture with the local side scraping home with a last
gasp try and conversion. Grangemouth made 6 changes (2 positional) from the previous week.
Youngsters Balfour and Hamilton were in at fullback and wing, White was a number 8 and there was
a first start of the season for Potgeiter in the front row. The Carnoustie pitch was heavy after being
underwater at the start of the week. The home side started well but the Stags defended the initial
threat and after 5 minutes Skelton slotted an early penalty. Grangemouth were quickly back on the
attack and pinned the home side in their 22. A huge scrum by the Stags looked to have Carnoustie in
trouble but they held on to the ball and countered from deep. A couple of missed tackles allowed
the centre to break clear and make 40 metres before passing to the supporting player for an easy
run in and a converted score. A few minutes later the home side had the chance to increase their
lead but the penalty attempt was wide. As the game entered the second quarter they did add their
2 nd score. They kicked into the corner and after a series of drives were able to crash over for an
unconverted score. The Stags were struggling to keep hold of the ball as they made numerous
mistakes and conceded penalties at the breakdown. However they gradually worked their way into
the Carnoustie half and Skelton added his second penalty on 30 minutes. Then with the last play of
the half the home side were again penalised at the breakdown and then marched back 10 metres for
dissent to give Skelton an easier kick at goal. HT Carnoustie 12 Stags 9.
The Carnoustie coach was far from happy at the break and certainly let his players know. They
responded with a penalty soon after the restart. Both sides then missed penalty chances before
Skelton did add his fourth successful kick to reduce the lead back to three. A superb 50/22 from the
stand off pinned the home side deep in the red zone. Carnoustie were penalised in front of the sticks
but instead of taking the easy 3 points a quick tap penalty came to nothing. As the game entered the
final quarter the home side were struggling for any useful possession. Watson and Johnston
combined to take play to the 22 and the move was only halted by a deliberate knock on. This time
Skelton was allowed to take the kick to level the scores. With 10 minutes to play the Stags drove a
lineout into the 22. Rooney then carried in midfield and when the ball was recycled White spotted
the absence of guards to pick up and burst clear to score under the posts. Skelton added the extras.
From the kick off Grangemouth kicked deep to make sure they finished the game in the right areas
of the field. On 77 minutes White picked up from a scrum on the Carnoustie 22 to drive into the
heart of the defence. Kerry carried close to the line and when the ball was recycled skipper
Wieczorek dummied and darted over from short range. Skelton slotted the simple conversion. With
the final play youngsters Johnston, Balfour and Hamilton combined in a sweeping counter attack to
make 50 metres before the home side were able to clear the danger. FT Carnoustie 15 Stags 29.
This was a hard fought victory for the Stags. After a shaky start they were able to control the game in
the second half with some excellent tactical kicking from Skelton. The scrum was again on top and
Johnston had a fine game both in the lineout and in the loose. This week the Stags are back at home
as they face Howe of Fife at Glensburgh with KO 2pm.