Stags Take Spoils in Derby Match

It was derby time last Saturday as the Stags made the short trip to take on near neighbours Falkirk. The first match between the sides was won by Falkirk with a last minute try and conversion and a big crowd gathered to witness another close match between the sides. Grangemouth made 3 changes from the previous week with McNiff starting at wing forward, Stangoe coming in at centre and Fisher switching to scrum half to replace the injured Forsyth. Sunnyside failed to live up to its name on a cold and foggy afternoon but the pitch was in excellent condition for an open game of rugby. Falkirk kicked off and had the early pressure. A dropped pass by the Stags inside their 22 saw Falkirk kick ahead but a Grangemouth player was first to react and touchdown for a 22. Grangemouth slowly worked their way into the game and Allan was unlucky when a kick ahead went dead with the speedy winger chasing hard. On 10 minutes it was the home side who took the lead. A Grangemouth attack broke down on the home 22 and the Falkirk backs launched a swift counter attack to take play to the Stags 22. The ball was recycled and scrum half Limbert darted down the blindside of the ruck to run in for the score. Faulds slotted the conversion. Grangemouth were beginning to dominate at the scrum and after securing a ball against the head the home side were penalised for offside. However Fisher was wide with the penalty from 35 metres. A couple of minutes later Grangemouth did get on the scoreboard. Falkirk made a half break in midfield but the ball went loose. Allan picked up and raced in at the corner for the try. Fisher was unable to convert the score. As the half progressed the Grangemouth pack continued to dominate possession while the young Falkirk backs looked dangerous on the break. On 35 minutes another scrum take against the head saw Hind pick up and take play into the Falkirk 22. Jamieson rumbled on close to the line before the ball was moved wide and a long pass saw Allan beat the cover to run in for his second. This time Fisher was on target with the conversion. Just on half time a catch and drive at a lineout by the Stags forwards saw Kerry burst through the maul before being brought down 2 metres from the line. However an accidental offside allowed the home side to reset and clear the danger. HT Falkirk 7 Stags 12.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half was a tense affair as both sides made too many handling mistakes. On 58 minutes a clean lineout take by Falkirk released Ramsay in midfield. He brushed off some poor attempted tackles to power over the line close to the posts. Edmond added the simple conversion. Within 2 minutes the Stags were reduced to 14 men as Gemmell was given a yellow card for a late tackle on his opposite number. Despite being a man down it was Grangemouth who continued to have most of the possession. On 67 minutes Falkirk were penalised at a ruck and Fisher stepped up to slot the penalty from 30 metres to restore the lead for the Stags. With just 5 minutes to go Falkirk were awarded a penalty at a lineout but Edmond was wide with the effort from 40 metres. In the closing few minutes Grangemouth had a series of drives close to the Falkirk line but the home defence managed to prevent a score. With the last play of the match Falkirk tried to counter from their own goal line. A chip kick was collected by Gemmell and he passed to Parsons and it was the ex Falkirk player who ran in at the corner for the score. Fisher was unable to add the conversion. FT Falkirk 14 Stags 20.

This was a hard fought victory for the Stags. The Falkirk backs looked dangerous throughout but it was the Grangemouth forwards who dominated possession especially at the set scrums. Coach Deacons was delighted with the result but knows his side made too many mistakes on the day. It was good for local rugby to see so many talented young players for both teams. This week the Stags are back at home with Kirkcaldy 2nds travelling to Glensburgh for a 2pm Kick off.