Stags Win On the Road

For their final match of the season last Saturday the Stags travelled north to take on Aberdeen Wanderers. Grangemouth made a number of changes with a new look front row of M. Christie, Clark and Jamieson, Spence at second row, Gibson on the flank and Stangoe back at centre. The pitch still had some small puddles but conditions were generally good. The Stags were on the front foot from the start and scored after just 2 minutes. The forwards stole a lineout and Gibson and Hind combined to take play into the home 22. Jamieson drove close to the line and from the resulting breakdown Dempsey picked up and dived over close to the posts. Skelton added the easy conversion. Grangemouth continued to dominate possession and territory and doubled their lead on 12 minutes. Wanderers gave away a couple of penalties and this allowed the Stags to kick for the corner. Hind secured the lineout and the forwards drove over the line with Jamieson collecting the touchdown. Skelton added the extras. As the game entered the second quarter the Stags almost added try number 3. Jamieson and Scott drove upfield and when the ball was moved wide Ross Christie was over the line before being driven back into touch by the cover defence. On 30 minutes Grangemouth did increase their lead with a carbon copy of their previous score. From a lineout close to the line the pack drove over with Jamieson getting the try. Skelton was again on target with the kick. The Stags seemed to switch off and this allowed the home side to score with their first visit to the Grangemouth 22. Aberdeen took a couple of tap penalties and from the second tap the Stags defence parted like the Red Sea to allow the home number 8 to run in under the posts for a very soft score. The closing minutes of the half saw the Stags back on the attack and looking for the bonus point score. Allan had a good run and kick but the cover was just able to clear the lines. With the last play of the half Grangemouth did add to their lead. Stangoe had a typical burst upfield and Gibson secured the ball at the breakdown. The ball was moved wide and fullback Gemmell came into the line to slide over near the corner. Skelton added the difficult conversion. HT Aberdeen Wands. 7 Stags 28.

The second period was a very forgettable affair. The Stags made numerous handling errors and failed to clear the defenders at the breakdown. This allowed the home side back into the game. Hind was given a yellow card for a neck roll at the breakdown and Wanderers took advantage to score despite an obvious knock on in the build up. Gibson then had to leave the field with a recurrence of his knee injury before Skelton maintained his100% kicking record with a penalty from 30 metres. Yhe game ended a couple of minutes early as one of the home players dislocated his shoulder in a freak accident. FT Wanderers 14 Stags 31.

This game summed up the inconsistency of the season for the Stags. They had a good first half performance and dominated for a commanding lead. However the second period was full of mistakes, penalties and poor options. A huge thank you from the club to all those who made themselves available for the match especially man of the match Logan Clark, oft retired David Jamieson, all the Frasers (Spence,Gibson and Stangoe) and super sub Darren Sweeney who came off the bench for his 1st XV debut. This week the Stags have a couple of 7s tournaments. The touring 7 travel to Orkney while the stay at home team travel to Cupar for the Howe of Fife tournament.