Losing run continues with loss at Dunfermline

The Stags were back in league action last Saturday as they made the short trip across the Forth to take on Dunfermline. Grangemouth made 6 changes from the narrow loss the previous week with starts for Christie, Harvey, Forsyth and Allan while Scott switched to second row and McNab moved from hooker to wing forward. Conditions were good and the opening exchanges were fairly even with defences on top as neither side created any clear opening. After 15 minutes the Stags lost a lineout in midfield and this resulted in a break upfield by the home 2nd row. He was tackled short of the line but after a couple of phases Dunfermline crashed over under the posts for a converted score. The game remained tight with the home side having most of the possession with the Stags looking dangerous on the counter attack. Dunfermline missd a penalty on 26 minutes while a few minutes later a good run from Dempsey took play into the home 22 but the ball was knocked on and the chance was lost. With the last play of the half the home side moved the ball wide but were stopped in the corner. Quick recycling pulled in the last defenders allowing an easy touchdown near the posts. HT Dunfermline 14 Stags 0

There were strong words from the coach at the break and this seemed to have the desired effect. Dunfermline knocked on at the kick off giving the Stags field position. They worked through the phases before Kerry made the break but somehow he was held up over the line. From the resultant scrum Harvey picked up and passed to Forsyh who scampered in for the score. Skelton was on target with the conversion. The kick off saw Grangemouth knock on and this resulted in a penalty to extend the lead for the home side. The Stags were struggling for possession especially at the lineout and as a result were on the back foot and losing out at the breakdown. On 55 minutes a break in midfield by the home side took play to the Stags 22 and quick recycling created a huge overlap which allowed the fullback to dummy and run in under the posts for another converted score. On the hour mark Dunfermline collected their bonus point score. Another missed tackle saw their second row tackled just short before the ball was moved wide for a score in the corner. With 10 minutes to go Grangemouth finally exerted some pressure on the Dunfermline line. Good handling in the backs saw Denny squeezed into touch as he dived for the line. Soon after an attempted clearance kick was charged down and Clark was first to react and dive on the loose ball for the score. Skelton was wide with the conversion. In the closing minutes Dunfermline collected a loose kick and simple handling created the overlap for an easy run in to complete the scoring. FT Dunfermline 34 Stags 12

Coach Deacons was a frustrated man by the poor performance by his side. The lineouts were a mess and they were dominated at the breakdown by a physical Dunfermline side. The discipline was poor with far too many penalties and backchat to the referee. There is a lot of work to be done before the final 4 league matches. There are no games in the next 2 weeks with the next game at home to Alloa on 10 March with KO 3pm