Roadtrip Produces Win

Grangemouth faced their furthest away trip of the season last Saturday as they travelled north to take on newly promoted Ellon. The Stags made several changes with starts for Tannahill, Hugh and Ross Christie with positional changes for Allan, Scott and Polland. On another good day for rugby Grangemouth made a sensational start with a try in the opening minute. Kerry secured the ball at the kick off and good handling in the backs saw Allan come into the line. He stepped round the opposition winger before bursting 60 metres up the touchline to outpace the fullback and run in under the posts. Skelton added the simple conversion. The game settled down and Ellon reduced the lead on 5 minutes with a penalty. This was cancelled out by a similar award a few minutes later with Skelton again on target. The Stags continued to dominate territory but were unable to increase their lead until the second quarter. An attacking lineout in the Ellon 22 initially went astray. However the ball was reclaimed and the pack had a series of drives close to the line. The ball was eventually released wide with Christie receiving the scoring pass to dive in close to the corner. Skelton added the difficult conversion. Soon after a break from deep by Dempsey was carried on by Shannon and Gemmell but the cover defence was able to prevent the score. On 30 minutes Skelton landed a penalty from 40 metres to increase the lead further. HT Ellon 3 Stags 20.

The second period saw the Stags looking to increase their lead. Skelton landed his third penalty early in the half when the home side were penalised at a scrum. Down by 20 points Ellon fought back and pinned Grangemouth in their 22. The home pack had a series of drives close to the line and were finally rewarded with a close range converted score. The Stags hit back almost immediately. From a scrum on the Ellon 22 Dempsey picked up and darted down the blindside. He bounced off several attempted tackles before somehow finding his way to the line for the score. Once again Skelton added the extras. Grangemouth then went looking for the bonus point score. Allan had another fine run and Skelton and Tannahill went close before a knock on allowed the home side to clear upfield. The Stags then gave away a series of stupid penalties and this allowed Ellon to work their way up the touchline into the visitors 22. The home team drove a lineout and although the initial drive was halted short of the line the pack regrouped to drive over for the try. The conversion attempt hit the bar. With 10 minutes to go Allan was adjudged to have carried the ball over his own line from a long kick downfield. From the resulting scrum the number 8 picked up and powered over for a converted score.In the closing minute Ellon hit the post with a penalty attempt to try and secure a bonus point. FT Ellon 22 Stags 30

This was a hard fought victory for the Stags against a well drilled Ellon side. Grangemouth were disappointed not to secure a bonus point especially after leading by 20 points midway through the second period. Once again the side seemed to lose concentration and give away numerous silly penalties. Coach deacons was very unhappy with the penalty count against his side. The scrum was under pressure and the lineout was messy throughout. The backs looked dangerous in attack with Dempsey and Allan making several breaks and causing chaos in the home defence. There is no game for the Stags this week. The next game is on 29 September when Hillfoots are the visitors to Glensburgh for a 3pm KO