Grangemouth 18 Alloa 5

The pre-season schedule was complete, selection complete and the stage was set for the opening match of the new season versus near neighbours Alloa RFC. The Stags fielded a strong XV however were missing four backs which meant a shuffle around and this was to prove frustrating throughout the match.

On a dry pitch and with hardly a breath of wind in the air there could be no excuses however the Stags’ nerves were there for all to see in the opening exchanges where an enthusiastic visiting team laid siege to the Stags line and only a combination of some terrific defence and poor Alloa execution kept the score sheet blank.

The Stags were too often guilty of playing rugby in their own territory where the new look team often lacked that necessary cohesion to penetrate the stuffy Alloa defence, often leading to dropped balls which allowed Alloa to kick at regular intervals pinning back the stags. This is perhaps only to be expected due to the extensive restructuring of the Stags team.

In truth, the opening exchanges were enthusiastic but lacked the same level of quality as both teams showed early season rustiness. The visitors had the first opportunity to break the deadlock on 32 minutes, after an infringement but to the relief of the large crowd it was pulled wide. This may have been the catalyst needed to ignite the Stags into action and shortly after they were rewarded with a penalty of their own 30m out in front of the posts giving Sangster and easy opener, which brought about half time.

Half time: Grangemouth 3 Alloa 0

The second half started off with a greater level of structure around the Stags play, with barging forward drives from Jamieson, Campbell and McInally causing problems in the visiting defence. From one such Jamieson run, he popped out the tackle to the supporting MnCube, who used his strength to brush off a couple of tacklers before sprinting to score under the posts, Sangster adding the extras.

Any hopes that this would have calmed the home nerves were dashed as the Stags continued to over complicate the game in their own half, allowing Alloa a number of scoring opportunities and only some amazing scrambling defence kept them at bay. None more so crucial, than a try saving tackle by Dempsey when the Alloa centre crashed over the line only to be held up by Dempsey when it looked easier to score.

The Stags lead was increased when Alloa, not for the first time in the match, were penalised for handling in a ruck, Sangster making no mistake from 30m out. A few minutes later, 17 year old, David-John Innes carved open the visitor’s defence and sent the supporting Davie McFarlane in from 20 yards out, conversion missed. This gave the Stags a 13point lead and they were now on the crest of a wave.

The Stags lost the services of veteran Johnny Campbell through a dislocated elbow, allowing the coaches to continue with their philosophy of developing Grangemouth youth players, with 17 year old James Denny taking to the pitch alongside 18 year old Kyle Risk. The Stags continued to probe for that try that would give them real breathing space, however, it was Alloa who deservingly scored a try out wide after slick handling from their backs allowed their right wing to score an unconverted try.

That was to be the last scoring of the day and the Stags had won their opening league match for the 1st time in three seasons. This was more of a workmanlike effort rather than the fluid continuity rugby seen in pre-season and is a timely reminder that there are no easy fixtures in this league.

The after match chat centred around the positives of winning however focus is now on next weeks match away to Carnoustie RFC and a much improved performance will be required to continue the winning start.

Man of the Match award was given to Stephen Neil.

Next Weeks Fixtures

Carnoustie V Grangemouth (3pm)

Grangemouth 2nd Xv V Kirkcaldy 3rd XV (3pm)