So near but dropped points

For their final game of 2023 Grangemouth welcomed league leaders Panmure to Glensburgh last Saturday. The Broughty Ferry outfit had inflicted a heavy defeat on the Stags in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and the local side knew this would be a tough encounter. Grangemouth made a couple of changes from their last outing with Gardiner back in the second row and Ward at fullback. Conditions were tricky with the surface soft on top after all the rain and a strong wind blowing down the pitch . The Stags opted to use the wind in the first half but it was the visitors who scored first after just 5 minutes. They won a scrum on the 22 but appeared to knock on at the base. The referee was unsighted and the loose ball was hacked over the line with the Panmure chasers winning the foot race for an unconverted score. Grangemouth replied on 15 minutes. They had a driving lineout in the opposition 22 and when the ball was released to the backs a clever cross field kick from Skelton found Siddiq in acres of space and the winger gathered the ball to dive over for the score. Skelton was on target with the conversion. The Stags were missing too many first up tackles and it was no surprise when the visitors centre broke through the line before offloading to his support for a second unconverted score. Worse was to follow a few minutes later. The Stags were turned over in midfield and another kick and chase resulted in a converted score. On 27 minutes Grangemouth were awarded a penalty on the 10 metre line. Skelton took the quick tap and made ground. Johnston and Rooney were in support and when the ball was moved wide Fraser crashed through the defence for his first try for the club. Skelton again added the extras. With 5 minutes to play in the half the home side added their 3rd try. Panmure were awarded a goal line dropout. However instead of the drop kick they punted the ball and the referee brought play back for a 5 metre scrum. The ball was moved along the backline with Fraser tackled just short. When the ball was recycled White was on hand to dive over for the score. Once again Skelton added the extras. HT Stags 21 Panmure 17.

Facing the wind in the second half Grangemouth knew they would need to sharpen up in attack and defence. The 3rd quarter was fairly even but on the hour mark the Stags added the bonus point score. They pinned the visitors in their 22 and after a series of drives for the line Wieczorek darted over from close range. Skelton made it four from four with the conversion. Panmure upped their game and as the game entered the closing 10 minutes they reduced the deficit. After a period of pressure they managed to squeeze over for a converted score. With 5 minutes to play the visitors retook the lead in controversial fashion. The Panmure attack was stopped short of the line and Grangemouth secured a turnover. White carried but the ball was ripped clear after the tackle was made and Panmure ran in under the sticks despite the protests of the Stags players. Grangemouth attacked from the kick off. They pinned the visitors in their 22 and only desperate defence stopped a number of close range drives. The ball was moved wide but a knock on was followed by the full time whistle. FT Stags 28 Panmure 31.

In the end this was a disappointing result for the Stags. They will rue a fairly lacklustre first half performance and how they let slip an 11 point lead in the closing 10 minutes. Gardiner, in his first season of rugby, had a strong game with good carries and disruption of the visitors lineout while in the backs young Ruari Fraser showed his strength with several powerful runs. The Stags now have an extended break before their final league game with the fixture scheduled for 9 March! In the meantime they have their first cup tie when they face Mackie at home on 27 January.