Stags Clinch Promotion with Added Bonus

It was first against second last Saturday with the league title up for grabs as Hillfoots made the short trip across the Clacks bridge to play the Stags. Grangemouth knew that a bonus point victory would confirm them as champions while the visitors had to win to keep their title hopes alive. The home side had a near full strength side with only Fisher missing from the usual lineup due to injury. The pitch was in good condition despite the overnight rain and it was the Stags who made a good start. Parsons had a kick ahead and follow up tackle to pln the visitors in their 22. Grangemouth reclaimed the ball and had a series of drives at the line but some scrambling defence from Hillfoots prevented a score. However the Stags did take the lead on 6 minutes when Skelton landed a penalty from 30 metres after Foots were penalised at the breakdown. Grangemouth continued to press and were awarded a second penalty a few minutes later after a good counter attack by Gemmell took play back into the visitors half. Skelton was wide with the long range kick. The standoff did increase the lead to 6 points with another penalty soon after. On their first attack of the half Hillfoots narrowed the lead with a simple penalty as the Stags were caught offside. As the game entered the second quarter Hillfoots were reduced to 14 men when their centre was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and Skelton stepped up to land his third kick. With the extra man Grangemouth were soon back on the attack and Skelton was wide with another penalty attempt. However from the drop out Jamieson had a rumble and as he was tackled he popped the ball to Hind who raced in from 30 metres for the opening try. Skelton added the extras. With half time approaching the Stags looked to extend their lead. The visitors were penalised for a late tackle on Parsons. The kick to the corner set up a lineout 5 metres out. Hind secured the clean catch and the pack drove the maul over the line with Christie claiming the touchdown. Skelton was unable to add the conversion. HT Stags 21 Hillfoots 3.

The Stags quickly increased their lead at the start of the second period. From the kick off Stangoe tackled his opposite number and ripped the ball clear. Denny and Gemmell kept the move going before the ball was moved wide to Allan who ran in at the corner for an unconverted try. Hillfoots hit back almost straight away with a try of their own. Some poor defence from the home side allowed a Foots player to burst up the tochline before passing inside to his support for a simple score. The conversion was wide. Hillfoots were soon back on the attack and had a spell of pressure inside the Stags 22. However they were unable to break down the home defence and Grangemouth were able to clear their lines. As the game entered the final quarter the Stags pack made their dominance in the scrums count. They pinned Hillfoots in their 22 and after a series of 5 metre scrums the pack finally drove over the line with number 8 Hind collecting his second and the all important bonus point score. The conversion was deemed to have missed although there was some confusion as the home touch judge was absent from his post having a chat with his chums on the half way line. The closing 15 minutes saw the Stags empty the bench as Hillfoots looked for a consolation score. Once again the home defence was solid and the Stags finished the game on the attack. The final whisle was greeted with a huge roar from the supporters as Grangemouth had secured the league title for 2016 -17. FT Stags 31 Hillfoots 8.

And so after twice finishing second in the last few years the Stags at last have secured promotion to Caledonia Division 1. This was a deserved victory for the home side. The pack were well on top in the scrums while the backs carried well and defended strongly throughout. Coach Deacons was delighted by the performance of his squad on the day and praised the efforts of all the players over a long season. Grangemouth will be presented with the championship trophy after their final match of the season when they travel to take on Blairgowrie on 11 March. This week the Stags go in search of another trophy as they take on old rivals Llandybie for the Alban Jenkins Shield. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the fixture making it the longest running fixture between Scottish and Welsh clubs. The game is on Friday 24th February with KO 2.30pm.

Stags team

G. Gemmell. S. Allan, F. Stangoe, J. Denny, M. Parsons, T. Skelton, K. Forsyth, C. Keighan, M. Christie, D. Jamieson, B. Kerry, S. Binnie, J. McNab, G. McNiff, A. Hind. Subs S. Noble, C. Jaworek, J. Howie, M. Stirling, J. Sloan, G. Scott, F. Gibson.