Stags win on the road at Kinross

It was back to league business last Saturday as the Stags travelled to Kinross. Injuries and unavailability saw a number of changes with Craig, Randalls and Ward all starting and Sangster taking over as captain from the injured McInally. After just 3 minutes the Stags were forced to make another change with Allan injuring his ankle and Risk replacing him on the wing. In fact Kinross dominated territory in the opening 10 minutes but any threat was easily dealt with by the Grangemouth defence. The opening try came after 12 minutes. The forwards won a lineout against the throw and Randalls charged into the 22. The ball was recycled quickly and a short pass from Sangster allowed centre Dalgleish to cut through and score near the posts to leave the skipper an easy conversion. Five minutes later the Stags increased their lead, again from a lineout. The forwards worked a peel round the back of the line and were held up just short. Again quick ball allowed Sangster to stroll over under the posts for another converted score. Kinross tried to hit back and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts. However this was to be their only score as the Stags ran in another 3 scores before half time to secure the bonus point. Firstly a good kick and chase to the corner resulted in a scrum 5. From this a series of drives for the line resulted in Gowdy cutting through to score. From the kick off Sangster made a break upfield and good linking allowed winger Dempsey to round his man to score in the corner. Sangster added an excellent conversion from wideout. Just on halftime good work by Mncube in midfield allowed the ball to be released to the backs and good hands allowed Dempsey to score in the corner. Once again Sangster added the difficult conversion. Half time Kinross 3 Stags 33.

Grangemouth made a number of changes at half time with Williamson on at prop, Craig moving to hooker, Carrie on at second row and Mallinson in the back row. New recruit Stangoe also came on in the backs. These changes saw the Stags dominate the second half possession with Craig taking numerous takes against the head and Neill making several breaks. Indeed it was the number 8 who scored the first try in the second half. From a scrum against the head Neill picked up and drove into the 22. Jamieson continued the move and after further drives by the forwards Neill scored wide out. Grangemouth continued to attack but it was another 10 minutes before they increased their lead. After another scrum against the head the forwards were held just short before Ward broke blind for his first try for the 1sts. Sangster added the conversion. With the game in the last quarter it was one way traffic with Neill making several runs. The Stags looked to have increased their lead when Neill linked with Stangoe but he lost the ball over the line. However the replacement stand off was not to be denied a debut score as he again linked with Neill from a scrum pick up to score. There was just time for Mncube to score a deserved try after a further period of pressure with Sangster adding the final conversion. Full time Kinross 3 Grangemouth 57

This was another good away win for the Grangemouth as they secured their second bonus point win on the road. Next Saturday the Stags are away from home again as they travel to Rosyth to take on Fife Southern with a 3pm KO