Stags Fall to League Leaders

After a weeks break due to Harris being unable to raise a team the Stags were back at home last Saturday as they welcomed league leaders Strathmore to Glensburgh. Grangemouth made a number of changes, all in the pack, with starts for Tannahill, Kerry, Curran and McGregor. Conditions were tricky for both sides with frequent showers and a gusty wind. The Stags made a good start and dominated the early exchanges. Skelton was wide with a long range penalty on 2 minutes but was on target with a similar award on 8 minutes. After defending for 10 minutes Strathmore hit back to dominate possession and territory for the rest of the half. On 15 minutes they scored their first try. The ball was recycled through numerous phases and with the home defence sucked in, the space was created for the left winger to run in at the corner for an unconverted try. Five minutes later they added try number 2. Grangemouth were turned over near their 22 and the ball was again moved to the left for an unconverted score in the same corner. The visitors maintained their stranglehold on possession as the Stags struggled for useable ball. Strathmore kicked a simple penalty on the half hour mark before Grangemouth finally escaped from the siege to break upfield. Dempsey had a good run but was tackled just short of the line and the chance was lost. This allowed the visitors one final attack of the half. A loose clearing kick was fielded by the fullback who linked with his right winger for a score in the corner. HT Stags 3 Strathmore 18.

There were some strong words from the coaches at the interval and the Stags made a couple of changes to the forwards for the second period. Grangemouth started the half well and finally had some ball to use. Allan had a good run from deep before Gemmell was stopped by a last gasp tackle. Another run from Allan took play into the visitors 22 and Dempsey was stopped just short of the line. Having soaked up all this pressure Strathmore then broke upfield to collect the bonus point score. Their number 8 appeared in midfield to cut through the defence and make 20 metres. The ball was recycled and the fullback showed some neat footwork to dance through the cover defence and run in under the posts. Grangemouth continued to push for a score. Kerry made a break and Polland was held up over the line. With 5 minutes remaining Gemmell split the visitors defence with an angled run and although he was tackled short of the line the Strathmore defenders held on to prevent quick release and the referee awarded a penalty try. There was just time for Strathmore to add one further score as good link play created the space for a run in at the corner. FT Stags 10 Strathmore 30

This was a frustrating afternoon for the local side. While there is no doubt that Strathmore were the better team and look certain to gain promotion at the end of the season, the Stags were left to reflect on the ongoing problems which have dogged their performances all season. Once again the lineout was a lottery while the scrum creaked and was driven back at times. Strathmore dominated at the breakdown especially in the first half and this left the Stags short of useable ball. There were also some loose passes and too often the ball was lost in contact. Grangemouth now have a break from league rugby for the next few weeks. The next match is the Caledonia Shield tie at Hillfoots on 17 November with KO 1.30pm.