5 Pointer after some Huffing and Puffing

Grangemouth were back on the road last Saturday as they travelled north to Broughty Ferry to take on Panmure. There was mixed news on the availability front with several regulars returning to the squad while four others were absent for various reasons. Up front Jamieson, Christie, Hind, Scott and Sloan all started while behind the scrum there were starts for Forsyth, Tairou King, Cunningham and Fisher. On another perfect day for rugby the Stags had the advantage of the slope in the first half and were quickly on the attack.The early pressure paid off as Panmure conceded a penalty for offside and Fisher slotted the kick. Grangemouth continued to press and the opening try came on 10 minutes. The pack took a scrum against the head and the ball was moved to Tairou King. The centre broke the initial tackles and was hauled down just short of the line where he popped the ball up to the supporting Kinnear who dived over near the corner. Fisher was on target with the conversion. The home side hit back and narrowed the gap with a penalty a few minutes later as the Stags were penalised at the breakdown. Soon after Fisher restored the 10 point lead with his second penalty. As the game entered the second quarter Grangemouth stretched the lead with their second try. From a lineout Stangoe made the initial run deep into the home 22. The ball was quickly recycled and Skelton dummied the defender to run in unopposed under the posts. Fisher added the simple conversion. Once again the home side hit back and after missing one kick at goal were successful with a second attempt. As half time approached the Stags pushed for further scores but a combination of poor handling, wrong options and frequent penalties prevented any further scores before the break. HT Panmure 6 Stags 20.

There were strong words from the coach at the interval regarding discipline, attitude and concentration and this seemed to have the desired effect as the Stags scored in the first couple of minutes of the half. Gibson made 20 metres from the kick off catch and a Skelton kick pinned the home side deep in their 22. After a series of drives by the forwards close to the line finally Jamieson drove over from his usual 1 metre distance. Fisher added the extras. The bonus point try arrived on 55 minutes. The pack drove a lineout before the ball was moved wide. Stangoe collected a pop pass to burst through the defence and power over under the posts. Fisher was again on target with the kick. As the game entered the final quarter Grangemouth looked to have added a further try. Hind made the initial break and his pass put Rutherford in the clear. The replacement coasted in under the posts but managed to drop the ball over the line with no defenders in sight. However the try was only delayed by a couple of minutes. Stangoe made another surge and the move was carried on by Hind. He in turn slipped the ball to Binnie who crashed over from short range. Fisher kept up his 100% record with the conversion. Grangemouth failed to deal with the kick off and a brief spell of Panmure pressure was ended when Fisher and Skelton counter attacked from their own line to take play deep into the opposition half. The forwards secured the lineout and as the pack drove over the line Jamieson collected his second score. Once again Fisher added the extras. Straight from the restart a catch by Christie set up Jamieson for a 10 metre rumble. He passed to Skelton and his inside pass released Fisher to run in from 35 metres. The fullback duly converted his own try. The Stags, not for the first time in the match, failed to deal with the kick off and after a series of drives by the home pack they were finally rewarded with an unconverted score. There was still time for 2 further scores from the local side in the closing 5 minutes. First some solid defence in midfield saw Panmure lose the ball. Skelton was first to react and he picked up to scamper in at the corner. This time Fisher was unable to add the extras. In the final 2 minutes Grangemouth completed the scoring with a fine try. The Stags won a shortened lineout near halfway. Quick hands released Stangoe who slipped the ball to Kerry. The big man showed great hands to take and give the pass to Tairou King who outpaced the defence to score. Fisher was unable to add the conversion. FT Panmure 11 Stags 65.

This was a comfortable victory but a stuttering performance from the Stags. The first half in particular was full of errors and a lack of discipline which let Panmure off the hook. The second half was much better as the home side struggled to deal with the strong running of Stangoe, Skelton and Fisher. This Saturday the Stags are back at home as near neighbours Falkirk make the short trip to Glensburgh for the latest league fixture. KO is 3pm.

The seconds were left without a game last Saturday as Alloa 2nds were unable to field a team. This week the second XV also have a local derby as they make the short trip to Bo'ness with KO also 3pm.