Stags Bounce back with Win in the Kingdom

The Stags were back on their travels last Saturday as they made the journey across the Forth to Beveridge Park to take on Kirkcaldy. The local side made six changes. Up front there were starts for Keighan, Kerry and McNiff while in the backs Kinnear was at scrum half with Parsons and Denny both returning after several weeks off due to injury. Conditions were good for running rugby and Grangemouth made a good start. After just 4 minutes they took a quick free kick in the middle of the park. Denny made the initial burst to the 22 and when the ball was recycled a kick to the corner saw Allan collect and stroll over for the opening score. Fisher added the conversion. Kirkcaldy hit back and gained territory as once again the Stags conceded a series of stupid penalties. The home pack had several drives at the line and finally the Grangemouth defence cracked and Kirkcaldy scored an unconverted try. The Stags replied almost immediately. Hind secured turnover ball in midfield and Gemmell kicked to the corner. The Kirkcaldy defence failed to deal with the loose ball close to their line and Gemmell followed up to score in the corner. Fisher was unsuccessful with the kick. As the game entered the second quarter Grangemouth extended their lead with a fine try. The forwards won a lineout on halfway. Allan came off his wing to create space for Parsons to run to the 22. He called for the switch and Pedyo cut back inside the covering defence to run in under the posts. Fisher added the easy conversion. Play became scrappy as again Grangemouth gave away a number of penalties and the bonus point try had to wait until 5 minutes before the break. The pack took a scrum against the head and Gemmell took play deep into the home 22. A set play at a lineout saw Mcnab catch and pass to Jamieson sweeping the line. He popped the ball to Hind to cut through for the try under the posts. Fisher slotted another easy kick. Just on half time further pressure by the Stags saw Scott collect a flat (?forward) pass on the 22 to cut the defensive line and score under the posts. Again the conversion was on target. HT Kirkcaldy 5 Stags 33

Grangemouth extended their lead straight from the kick off. The forwards recovered the kick and crisp handling in the backs saw Fisher release Allan to outpace the defence and run round under the posts. Ffisher was again on target with the kick. Kirkcaldy were struggling to cope with the pace and power of the local side and the next try followed soon after. McNiff had the initial run and when the ball was recycled Gemmell had a dart before slipping the ball to Parsons to run in for the score. Fisher slotted the conversion. From the restart substitute Kidney had a rumble upfield and when the ball was moved wide Jamieson kicked ahead for Allan to follow up to complete his hat trick. Fisher added the conversion. As the game entered the final quarter Grngemouth added try number 9. Hind made 10 metres from a number 8 pick up. Gemmell broke down the blindside and passed to the supporting McNiff to run in for a deserved score. Fisher was on target with the kick. From the kick off Jamieson and Gibson combined to take play deep into Kirkcaldy territory. Kidney was then flattened by a dangerous high tackle which saw the home player lucky to just receive a yellow card. The penalty kick to the corner allowed the pack to drive over with both Jamieson and kerry claiming the touchdown. Once again Fisher was on target with the kick. A few minutes later another drive by the pack from a lineout allowed Rutherford to peel off the back of the maul and crash over for a score (no drop this week). Fisher made it 10 from 11 with the kick. As the game entered the closing 10 minutes Kirkcaldy had a spell of pressure inside the Stags 22. However they turned the ball over and Kinnear kicked downfield. The chase was good and the ball was recovered and moved wide for the unlikely sight of Rutherford feeding Christie on the wing to run in for the score. Fisher was unable to add the extras. To their credit Kirkcaldy fought back in the closing few minutes. First Allan had to make a last gasp tackle to prevent a score. However the home side were not to be denied and they used their forwards to drive over for 2 scores with one successful conversion. FT Kirkcaldy 17 Stags 80

This was a much improved performance from the Stags. The forwards were well on top while the backs looked much more threatening with ball in hand. Once again the side gave away far too many penalties which could be costly in tighter matches. This week the Stags travel to take on unbeaten Hillfoots as the league programme raches the midway point of the season. KO is 3pm.