Stags Downed in Falkirk

The Stags made the short trip to face Falkirk last Saturday. Grangemouth had Skelton, Clark and
Christie back in their starting lineup with positional changes for Gemmell, Ward and Harvey. On a
day when Sunnyside certainly did not live up to its name the game was played in constant rain
making the ball very slippy and handling difficult for both teams. The opening exchanges were fairly
even as both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball. After 10 minutes Grangemouth were awarded
a penalty in the Falkirk 22. They took a tap and Harvey and Clark carried well. The ball was recycled
and Skelton slid a kick into the in goal area where Gemmell dived on the ball for the score. Skelton
was on target with the extras. Both sides continued to struggle to string together any phases as the
play became bogged down in midfield. On 17 minutes Falkirk had the chance to open their account
after a penalty was marched forward 10 metres after the ball was kicked away. However the kick
was off target. As the half progressed the home side pinned the Stags back to their 22 with some
good kicks with Grangemouth unable to effectively clear their lines. It was therefore no surprise
when just before the interval the home side scored their opening try. Falkirk took a tap penalty on
the 22 and after a series of drives the scrum half spotted a gap around the ruck and darted over for
an unconverted score. HT Falkirk 5 Stags 7.
The home side continued on the front foot at the start of the second period. Again the Stags were
pinned back in their 22 and after a number of phases the Falkirk second row crashed through,
bouncing off the post protectors for the score. The conversion was successful. Grangemouth tried to
respond and White had a fantastic run. He collected a pass well inside his own half and raced 50
metres before being hauled down close to the line. Falkirk infringed at the breakdown and the were
given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. The Stags tried to press home their advantage but
somehow the home defence held firm. A loose ball was hacked on by Johnston who followed up to
secure the turnover. The ball was popped to Spence but the ball was dislodged as he dived over in
the corner. A few minutes later Watson had a run and a Skelton chip kick to the corner somehow
eluded the diving Taylor. Skelton then uncharacteristically missed a fairly easy penalty attempt.
Falkirk finally broke the siege and escaped upfield. They won a penalty and the ball was moved to ex
Stag Heron who burst through the defence to run in for a converted score. The closing 10 minutes
saw the Stags back on the attack. Rooney was over the line but lost the ball as he tried to ground the
ball. Then with 5 minutes to play the Stags finally managed to crack the home defence. After a series
of drives the ball was passed to Kerry and he crashed over from close range. Skelton slotted the
difficult conversion from near the touchline. In a frantic finish Kerry and Fraser had good carries as
the Stags attacked from deep. However an overthrow at a lineout on the Falkirk 22 allowed the
home side to clear to touch and the welcome sound of the final whistle. FT Falkirk 19 Stags 14.
This was a disappointing performance and result for the Stags. They were sluggish in the first half
and failed to take their chances in the second period. Falkirk were much improved from earlier in the
season and defended well and took their chances. This week Grangemouth are back on the road as
they head to face Dundee 2s with KO 2pm.