Stags bask in glory with defeat of Sharks

Fife Southern 0 Grangemouth Stags 20

The Stags made the short trip to Rosyth last Saturday as they took on Fife Southern in the league. The sides had played each other at Grangemouth in the Bowl Competition a couple of weeks ago so the local side winning 35 – 7. However the Stags were missing some important players with McInally and Allan both injured and Sangster and Neill unavailable. The game was played in continuous light rain and the pitch was very soft making handling and kicking very difficult for both sides. Fife Southern started the better, helped by several penalties conceded by the Stags but failed to convert a kick at goal after just 3 minutes. Grangemouth hit back and after taking a scrum against the head, winger Kyle Risk broke upfield to take play to the home 22. Fife were penalised at the breakdown but Stangoe was unable to kick the penalty. The opening try came after 15 minutes. From a scrum in midfield number 8 Mcniff picked up and drove into the Fife fringe defence. Jamieson carried the move on and when the ball was recycled for the backs centre Dalgleish made the break before feeding Parsons to score wide out. Five minutes later Fife were again penalised at the ruck and this time Stangoe kicked the penalty. From the kick off Mncube collected and ran 40 metres before being tackled but the move ended with a knock on. Grangemouth were on top and the second score soon followed. From a lineout just outside the home 22, Jamieson peeled round the back and slipped the ball to Mncube who raced over for a try converted by Stangoe. Just before half time Fife had some pressure following a dropped ball by the Stags on their own line but the the Grangemouth defence denied their opponents any chance of a score. Half time Fife 0 Grangemouth 15.

The crowd hoped for better in the 2nd half however the game deteriorated with frequent penalties to both sides due to offences at the breakdown and too much backchat to the referee. Fife did have much of the second half territory but there was no way through the Stags defence. Fife missed another penalty kick at goal as the game entered the final quarter. Grangemouth finally made the game safe with 10 minutes to go when Mncube received the final pass to score after good driving work by the forwards. Just before full time Mncube had another good run but was unable to link with Parsons and the chance of a bonus point score was lost. Full time Fife 0 Stags 20.

This was not a game that will live long in the memories of the local support but was a satisfactory result for Grangemouth especially considering the conditions and the key changes. Next Saturday the Stags are back at home against Blairgowrie with a 3pm KO