Dunfermline Take Full Advantage with Bonus Haul

The Stags were back at home last Saturday as Dunfermline made the short trip to Glensburgh. Grangemouth made a few changes with Shannon and Hugh back in the starting lineup with Scott switching to back row. The pitch was soft after the heavy morning rain and the slippy ball made handling and ball retention tricky for both sides. The opening exchanges were fairly even although the big Dunfermline pack had the edge at the scrum. It was the visitors who opened the scoring after 12 minutes. The forwards worked through several phases to take play to the Stags 22 before the Dunfermline prop burst clear from a ruck to run in close to the posts for a converted score. The visitors continued to dominate territory but failed to increase their lead with a missed penalty on 20 minutes. Dunfermline continued to use their forwards to carry well and dominate at the breakdown and it was no surprise when they added try number 2 on the half hour mark. Good continuity and support play through numerous phases sucked in the home defence to leave an easy run in for another converted score. With half time approaching Grangemouth finally exerted some pressure on the visitors line. The Stags drove a couple of lineouts close to the line but the visitors defence held firm. Then from a scrum on their 22 Dunfermline tried to run the ball out but spilled the pass. Dempsey was quick to react to pick up and run in for the try. Skelton was unable to add the extras. HT Stags 5 Dunfermline 14

The second period continued in a similar pattern to the first with the Stags struggling for clean possession and making frequent handling errors. Dunfermline added their 3rd try with a planned move from an attacking scrum on the 22. The blindside winger came into the line at pace to slice through the defence and score under the posts. Dunfermline went hunting for the bonus point score and only some last gasp defence kept them out. However with 10 minutes to go a sustained period of pressure created the space for an unconverted try in the corner. In the closing minutes Allan thought he had scored after a kick and chase but the referee decided from a long way back that the defender had touched down first. With the final play of the game Dunfermline added their 5th try with some good handling in the backs resulting in a score at the corner. FT Stags 5 Dunfermline 31.

This was a very disappointing performance and result for the Stags. Dunfermline bossed the game up front and good handling and offloads caused problems for the Grangemouth defence. The home side were under pressure at the scrum from the start and the lineout misfired. The Stags also made too many handling errors even allowing for the conditions. This week Grangemouth travel to take on old rivals Glenrothes with KO 3pm.