North East Success for Stags

The Stags were back on the road last Saturday as they travelled north to take on Aberdeen Wanderers. Grangemouth again made numerous changes with four positional switches in addition to starts for Clark, Scott, Roach, Christie and Skelton. On another good day for rugby the opening exchanges were fairly even. On 14 minutes the home were wide with a penalty attempt but the first try followed soon after. An Aberdeen attack seemed to have been halted on the Stags 22. The ball was kicked into the corner where the Grangemouth defence made a mess of trying to clear the ball and it bounced nicely for the winger to dive in at the corner. The conversion attempt was wide. The Stags continued to try and run the ball from deep and this tactic cost them try number 2. A mix up on the 22 resulted in a knock on. Aberdeen were quick to react and some simple passing created the overlap for the home player to run round near the posts for a converted score. This seemed to stir the visitors from their slumbers and from the kick off they pinned the home side in their 22. The ball was recycled through several phases before Kerry was over the line but unable to ground the ball. From the resultant 5 metre scrum it looked like the pack was going to secure a pushover try. However at the last minute they lost control of the ball but Dempsey was able to pick up and dive over from close range. Skelton added the extras. Aberdeen missed with a second penalty attempt before the home team scored their third try after another mistake by the Stags. Wanderers intercepted a pass on halfway and although Clark was able to chase back and make the tackle the ball was moved wide for a score in the corner. Again the conversion was unsuccessful. The closing minutes of the half saw Grangemouth back on the attack. They had multiple phases on the Aberdeen line but the home defence remained intact. A slightly wider pass was again intercepted and only a good covering tackle from Christie prevented a breakaway score. HT Wanderers 17 Stags 7.

There were some strong words from the coach at the interval but another mistake from the kick off had Aberdeen back on the attack. Wanderers had 5 minutes of pressure in the Stags 22 but were unable to break down some solid defence with Dempsey making a try saving tackle. The home side then missed another penalty attempt and this allowed Grangemouth to lift the siege and escape upfield. At last the visitors began to show some urgency in their play as the home side started to give away several penalties at the breakdown. First Dempsey and then Skelton took tap penalties to take play up to the home 22. Forsyth then took a crash ball close to the line and when the ball was recycled Dempsey darted over from short range. Skelton added the conversion. As the game entered the final quarter the Stags began to dominate possession with the home side giving away further penalties. Skelton landed a penalty to tie the scores after a home player received a team yellow card for repeat infringements. The Stags took advantage of the extra man to totally dominate the closing minutes. First forwards and backs combined through multiple phases and when the ball was moved out Skelton sliced through the defence to slide in for a score. An Aberdeen defender was given a red card as he caught the stand off in the head as he dived over. Skelton recovered from the blow to land the conversion. Soon after the pack drove a lineout into the 22. The ball was moved wide to create the overlap for Forsyth to run in for the score. Skelton slotted the conversion. The closing minutes saw Gemmell make a run from deep to take play up to the home 22. From the resultant lineout Gemmell took the ball on the angle to cut through some poor defence and score in the corner. This time Skelton was unable to add the extras. FT Wanderers 17 Stags 36.

This was very much a game of 2 halfs. The first period was very sluggish with the Stags playing too much rugby in their own half and making far too many mistakes in attack and defence. The second half was much better with the back row dominating at the breakdown and the backs running strongly with ball in hand. This week the Stags are back at home as they face Dunfermline at Glensburgh with KO 3pm.