Stags stretch lead at the top

After a three week break due to the bowl and international fixtures it was back to league business for the Stags last Saturday with Harris the visitors to Glensburgh. The Dundee side had only lost three of their fixtures so far and the previous meeting between the clubs was a very tight match which was only settled with a late try for Grangemouth. The Stags showed some changes from their last match with starts for Turnbull and Stangoe in the backs and Norvall in the pack. On a cold but bright day Grangemouth played into the wind in the first half and were soon on the attack. Allan had a run up to the visitors 22 and from the resulting lineout the forwards drove 15 metres before releasing the ball to the backs. Parsons was held short of the line and Harris were able to scramble the clearance. The visitors then enjoyed some territory and possession and missed a penalty before being successful with their second attempt after Sangster was penalised for a high tackle. Grangemouth hit back and a Dempsey break took play up to the Harris 22. From the scrum Neill picked up and drove forward before the ball was moved wide to Dempsey. He was hauled down just short of the line but Turnbull was on hand to grab the touchdown. Sangster added the conversion. From the kick off Sangster made an excellent break from halfway and when he was stopped the forwards continued the drive but were held up over the line. With 10 minutes left in the half Dempsey made another break from deep but failed to pass to his support and the chance was lost. The second try did come soon after. The forwards again drove a lineout before Mncube made an initial surge. A ruck was set up in the middle of the park and skipper McInally broke of the side to drive over near the posts. Sangster again added the extra 2 points. Just on half time sub DJ Innes made a break from deep but once again the inside pass was dropped and the chance was lost. Half time 14 – 3.

Grangemouth were determined to use the wind in the second half and were again quickly on the attack. However Sangster’s looped pass was intercepted by the Harris full back who ran 75 metres to score under the posts. Grangemouth hit back immediately when Mncube turned the ball over on the Harris 22. Jamieson had a run before switching with Neill and the number 8 ran in under the posts for their third converted score. Grangemouth were now in search of the all important bonus point score. McNiff was held up over the line after another forward drive from a lineout. From the resulting scrum Neill picked up again and after a couple of drives the ball was moved back to the blind side where the number 8 was on hand to finish off the move with his second try. On 60 minutes Grangemouth added try number five. Innes was held up deep in the Harris half and when the ball was moved wide Parsons burst through a huge gap to score under the posts to leave Sangster an easy conversion. Grangemouth were unable to add to their lead in the closing minutes as too many handling errors crept in. Final score 33 – 10

This was another important 5 point win for the Stags and with St Andrews failing to gain a bonus point in their game the lead at the top of the table is back to 2 points with 5 games left. There is still work to be done on the lineout and handling for the difficult games ahead. Grangemouth now have 4 successive away fixtures starting with the trip to Stirling University next Saturday with a 3pm KO.