Third place Madras were the visitors to Glensburgh last Saturday as the leagues reached the halfway stage. The Stags team showed only one change from the previous week with |McPherson out injured and Allan returning on the wing. On another perfect day for rugby the opening 20 minutes were pretty even with both sides trying to move the ball wide. However both sides defended strongly to leave the first quarter scoreless. The deadlock was broken just after the 20 minute mark. From a scrum in midfield number 8 Neill picked up and drove 40 metres up field. Madras conceded a penalty at the ruck but when Sangster failed to find touch with the kick Madras failed to clear and conceded a 5 metre scrum. Neill picked up again and drove over for the opening score. Grangemouth were immediately back on the attack and following a Sangster break Madras again conceded a penalty. This time the touch kick was good and from the lineout the Stags forwards worked a catch and drive with Stirling being rewarded with the touchdown. Both conversions were unsuccessful. Try number three came a couple of minutes later. Sangster kicked long to set up position inside the visitors 22. Again Madras failed to clear their lines and from another scrum 5 Neill picked up and delivered a flat pass to Sangster who crashed over for another unconverted score. Madras continued to try and run the ball whenever possible and were rewarded with a penalty which was converted by their stand off. Grangemouth responded from the kick off when Mncube forced a turnover inside the Madras 22. The Stags then worked a peel round the back of a lineout and Jamieson rumbled over from his customary 1 metre distance for the bonus point try. McInally took over the kicking duties and converted the score. Just on half time Madras had some pressure but missed a penalty. Half time 22 – 3

The Stags had had some second half lapses in previous weeks and the talk at half time was to maintain the performance for the second 40. Madras had some initial pressure but it was the Stags who broke up field to increase their lead. Stangoe made the initial run and from the ruck Mncube broke through a couple of tackles to race home from 35 metres with McInally again adding the conversion. Madras to their credit continued to attack and after a series of penalties conceded by the Stags it was Sangster who received a yellow card for tackling a player without the ball. Despite being a man down Grangemouth swept up field and scored again. From a midfield scrum Neill again made a 30 metre run before linking with Mncube who beat the defence for his second try. McInally was on target the conversion. The Stags were then reduced to 13 men when Mncube was also given a yellow card after some handbags in the forwards. Even with a two man deficit Grangemouth were able to add try number seven. Dempsey made the initial dart and when Neill carried the move on his inside pass found skipper McInally for a well worked score which he converted himself. As the game entered the last 10 minutes Grangemouth finished with 2 trys by winger Allan. Firstly Dempsey and Parsons combined to feed the winger who showed great strength to hold off two tacklers and dive in at the corner. He added his second try in the closing minute. Good hands by the backs released him at pace and he skipped outside his opposite number before stepping inside the full back for a fine score. McInally added the final conversion to leave the final score 55 – 3.

This was a fine all round performance by the Stags with Neill outstanding through ought. So at the halfway point in the league the Stags remain undefeated and are two points clear of St Andrews University. Next week Grangemouth make the short trip to Alloa with a 2pm KO.

The second XV were unfortunately idle after Dundee 3rd XV called off at the last minute. This week they make the even shorter journey to Sunnyside to take on Falkirk 2nds.

Finally a special mention for young Brodie Bell who with his mum baked and sold cakes in the clubhouse and raised over £60 for Children in Need.