Return to Carleton Park Brings Stags Bonus

The Stags were back on their travels last Saturday as they made the journey to Carleton Park to take on old rivals Glenrothes. Grangemouth made 4 changes from the previous week. There were starts for Kerry, Gibson and Denny while McNab was switched to hooker. The Stags had the advantage of the slope and the wind in the first half and were quickly on the attack. After just 3 minutes Glens were penalised at the breakdown and Skelton slotted the penalty from 30 metres. Grangemouth continued to look dangerous with ball in hand and increased their lead a few minutes later. After a drive upfield from Kerry the ball was moved wide. Gemmell joined the line to create the extra man and his pass released Allan to race in at the corner. Skelton added the difficult conversion.Glenrothes then had a spell of pressure around the Stags 22 but were unable to break down the visitors defence. On 20 minutes Grangemouth added their second try. Skelton shrugged off 3 attempted tackles before passing to Allan. The winger showed his strength to escape from a couple of defenders before scampering in at the corner. Skelton was unable to add the extras. Soon after the stand off was unlucky with a long range penalty attempt which was just wide. However from the drop out a drive from Gibson took play back to the home 22. The ball was quickly recycled and Hind broke through the initial defence and showed good pace to run in for the try. Skelton again added the conversion. Grangemouth continued to dominate territory and possession and soon after added the bonus point try. Dempsey and Allan combined to take play up to the home 22. When the ball was moved wide Skelton collected the final pass to slide in at the corner. He was unable to convert his own try. With 5 minutes to go in the half Glenrothes finally had some possession inside the Stags 22. This time they did manage to find a way through the defence with their number 8 crashing over from short range for an unconverted score. Just on half time a Glens kick upfield was collected by Allan deep inside his own half. The winger set off on a mazy run and evaded several attempted tackles before bursting clear to run in under the posts for a remarkable individual effort. Skelton added the simple conversion. HT Glens 5 Stags 34.

Glenrothes started the second half strongly and pinned the Stags inside their 22. They drove a lineout close to the line and quick recycled ball saw the home hooker drive over for the score. The conversion was wide. However the comeback was short lived as Grangemouth capitalised on a loose pass in midfield. Stangoe kicked ahead before Skelton followed up to win the foot race to collect his second try. Once again he was unable to convert his own try. As the game entered the final quarter Kerry inercepted and had a run upfield before both Stangoe and Mowat were stopped with last gasp tackles. On 65 minutes Grangemouth lost possession at the base of a scrum on halfway. Quick hands by the home side released their winger to beat the cover and run in for a converted score. The Stags continued to attack at every opportunity and soon after started a counter attack from deep to take play up to the home 22. The ball was moved wide with Gemmell collecting the scoring pass to run in near the corner. Skelton added the conversion. From the kick off Glens won a turnover and the home scrum half darted through the Stags defence for a converted score (and a bonus point). There was still time for one further score for the Stags. The forwards won a turnover and this allowed Skelton to make the initial break. His well timed pass released Shannon to run in for the try. Skelton added the extras. FT Glens 24 Stags 53.

This was a very good performance by the Stags to secure a bonus point victory on the road against an experienced Glenrothes side. The pack dominated the scrums and produced a regular supply of front foot ball for the backs to exploit. Skelton orchestrated the backs in attack and Allan showed his pace to complete a first half hat trick. This week the Stags are back at home as they face Dunfermline at Glensburgh with KO 3pm