Grangemouth 47 Stirling University 25

After the disappointment of defeat in Dundee last week Grangemouth welcomed the students from Stirling to Glensburgh on Saturday for the first home league match of the season. The Stags had made a number of changes from the previous week and were forced into further changes when Parsons was injured in the warm up. As a result Johnstone was switched to stand off with Rooney starting at fullback and the unlikely figure of number 8 Neill in the centre. The opening exchanges were fairly equal and it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a well struck penalty after 5 minutes. Grangemouth gradually worked their way back into the game and scored the opening try after 15 minutes. The forwards worked a back row move from a scrum just outside the Stirling 22 and close passing between Jack, Stirling and McInally set up Jamieson for a typical 2 metre rumble to the line. McInally added the conversion. However the students fought back and kicked a second penalty to narrow the lead. On 25 minutes Stirling scored their first try. Grangemouth turned the ball over inside their own 22 and simple hands by the student’s backs saw the winger score an unconverted try in the corner. Worse was to follow for the home side when they failed to deal with a chip kick ahead and after missing touch with an attempted clearance kick the University side ran the ball back for a second score in the same corner. This time the conversion was successful. With 5 minutes left in the half Neill made a clean break in the centre and passed inside to Connor McFarlane who neatly sidestepped the fullback and galloped in from 30 metres. McInally again added the conversion. Just on half time the Stags were given a reprieve when Stirling thought they had scored from a cross kick but the score was disallowed for an offside. Half time 14 – 18

The second half started badly for the home side when a high kick was allowed to bounce and the University centre collected the loose ball to run in from 30 metres for a converted try. At last Grangemouth started to take control of the game with the scrum well on top. Craig made a good run into the Stirling 22 and after several phases of play it was Jamieson who again crashed over from short range for the sides 3rd converted try. On 55 minutes the Stags were back into the lead with the bonus point try. The ball was won at the lineout and good hands released Neill who scored under the posts to leave McInally the easy conversion. As the game entered the final quarter Grangemouth added try number five. Johnstone kicked ahead and substitute winger Heron chased through and kicked on for an unconverted score. Soon after good play by Pedyo and Heron released Allan to score under the posts for another converted try. With 5 minutes left constant pressure inside the Stirling 22 saw Johnstone dive over for a deserved score with McInally again adding the extra two points. Final score 47 -25.

In the end a comfortable win for the Stags but the coaches and players know they will have to improve in all aspects for tougher matches ahead. Man of the match was Connor McFarlane for his all round play and fine try. This Saturday the Stags have another home fixture when Madras are the visitors for a 3pm KO