Stags conclude league campaign with win over Carnoustie

Grangemouth completed their league programme last Saturday as they hosted Carnoustie at Glensburgh. After the disappointment of the previous week the Stags made wholesale changes due to injuries and unavailability with seven changes in personnel and three positional changes in the starting line up. There was a new look front row with Randalls and Tucker joining Jamieson and in the backs Sangster switched to scrum half with David John Innes starting at 10. Denny moved into his normal position of centre and there was a first team debut for Campbell Cunningham on the wing. On a perfect day for rugby Grangemouth started well and were quickly on the attack. Risk was held up over the line and from the scrum Neill picked up. He was held just short and McInally was on hand to dive over from close range. Five minutes later Grangemouth added try number two. The initial attack took play into the visitors 22 before good hands gave Cunningham enough room to squeeze over in the corner. Both scores were unconverted. Grangemouth continued to press for further scores but despite good lead up play they were unable to convert pressure into points. The Carnoustie defence held firm until just before half time. The Stags ran a couple of tap penalties and Jamieson was on hand to barge over from short range. This time McInally added the conversion. Half time 17 – 0

Grangemouth started the second half well and Innes made a good run from deep. Sangster then kicked the resulting penalty into the corner and from the lineout the forwards drove over but were held up. The score was only delayed as the Stags back row worked a move to release Mncube and the flanker burst a tackle to score near the posts. McInally again was successful with the kick. Carnoustie fought back and ran a penalty in the home 22 before some weak tackling allowed the winger in at the corner. Grangemouth increased their lead on the hour mark. Carnoustie were turned over just outside their 22, Gowdy made the initial break before Craig kicked through for Risk to follow up and score. The game was becoming bad tempered and the referee was forced to produce a series of yellow cards to both sides. Carnoustie added their second try when they won a scrum against the head and moved the ball blind to score in the corner. With the game entering the closing 10 minutes Randalls was held up on the line but the pressure was rewarded as Mncube took the ball on an angled run to slice through the defence for his second try. Innes completed the scoring with the easy conversion. Full time 36 – 10.

This was another bonus point win for the Stags and it was good to see three of the current under 18 side playing a prominent part in the win. The news from St Andrews confirmed their easy win and that they would be league champions. For the Stags a record of 17 wins and 1 defeat with 12 bonus points was just not enough. And so Grangemouth now look toward the bowl semi final this Saturday when they host Helensburgh with a 3pm KO. Both sides know that a win secures their place at Murrayfield for finals day on the 21st April. A big crowd is expected and supporters are reminded that the under 18s will be playing a Welsh touring team at 12.30.