Strathmore 20 Grangemouth Stags 0

Grangemouth knew they would be in for a hard game last week as they travelled to Forfar to take on Strathmore. The Angus side narrowly missed out on promotion last season and had a 100% record after the opening 5 games this season. The Stags again showed a number of changes with Bell starting at wing forward, Scott and Jason Russell restored to the backs and the unlikely figure of McFarlane (even bulkier than McIntyre) in the centre.

Strathmore kicked off and as the Stags tried to run out of defence they turned over the ball and conceded a penalty in front of the posts for an easy 3 points. The home side dominated the early possession and territory but were unable to convert pressure into points as the Grangemouth defence held firm. The Stags finally broke up field with a run and kick by Jason Russell before a swift counter attack by the Strathie back 3 was halted by solid defence by Scott. Soon after a break by the home centre was stopped 5 metres out and Grangemouth managed to scramble the ball clear. The opening try came midway through the half. A quickly taken lineout by Strathmore had taken play deep into the Stags 22. From the resulting scrum a loose pass in midfield was picked up by the home centre who cut back against some poor tackling to score. Strathmore missed the conversion and a penalty before Grangemouth finished the half with some pressure of their own. However McInally missed 2 penalty kicks at goal and Strathmore survived. Half time 8 – 0

Strathmore continued to press at the start of the 2nd half and missed an early penalty. Mncube showed his strength in the tackle to halt another attack before Grangemouth broke up field from a tap penalty. However a poor kick in the 22 allowed the home side to call a mark and clear their lines. Strathmore continued to attack and scored 2 tries in a five minute period halfway through the half. Firstly the home forwards drove on through several phases of play after a lineout catch and the ball was moved blind for the winger to score in the corner. The try was converted from wide out. The next try followed a speculative high kick which in mid field which was missed by the Stags defence and the ball was popped to the winger to race over in the corner from 40 metres. Strathmore were well on top and were seeking the bonus point try. Chapman halted one move with a good covering tackle and Jason Russell just managed to tap tackle his opposite number as he raced clear. With time running out good defence from Scott, Russell and Bell stopped another Strathie move. Grangemouth tried to counter from deep and Mncube and Russell had good runs before the final whistle. FT 20 – 0

Although this was another defeat the Stags produced a good defensive performance against a side going for promotion. This week Grangemouth are at home to Harris with a 3pm KO