Stags Lose in New Town

Grangemouth travelled to Glenrothes last Saturday to take on the league leaders. The Fife side had won all of their 5 league games with maximum bonus points and so a difficult game was expected. The Stags were without skipper McInally and back row Davie McFarlane both out with ankle injuries, replaced by Binnie and McNab, and coach Jamieson was only fit to start on the bench. On a very heavy pitch Grangemouth played down the slope in the first half and made an awful start. In the opening minute Grangemouth failed to clear a box kick and when the ball was turned over simple hands in the backs created an overlap for the winger to go over in the corner for an unconverted score. The Stags hit back and replied after 5 minutes. From a lineout take by Connor McFarlane the forwards drove up to the line and Aspinall was able to grab the score. Parsons was unsuccessful with the conversion. On 11 minutes the home side were back in the lead with their second try. They ran a quickly taken free kick and were halted just short of the Stags line. The forwards then arrived to drive over for the try. Once again the kick was unsuccessful. Grangemouth thought they had scored a few minutes later when Dempsey was put through a gap and was under the posts only to be brought back for crossing. Both sides had chances in the second quarter but were held out by good defence. Parsons missed a simple penalty after 30 minutes before just on half time both sides kicked penalties with Johnston successful for the Stags. Half time Glens 13 Stags 8.

The home side were on top in the opening period of the second half and used the slope to keep the Stags inside their own 22. Glens missed a penalty and had a driving maul halted after a punch was thrown. Having withstood the pressure Grangemouth gradually came back into the game with some possession and territory. They were helped by indiscipline from the home side who received 2 yellow cards in the space of a couple of minutes first for taking a man out in a lineout and then for a dangerous shoulder charge. Grangemouth took advantage of their extra players to score after 63 minutes. Allan made the initial run into the Glenrothes 22 and after a series of drives by the forwards on the home line Jamieson was on hand to plough over under the posts. Johnston kicked the conversion to give the Stags a narrow lead. As the game entered the final 10 minutes and with Glens back to full strength once again the Stags line was under siege. Glens missed a penalty before scoring the decisive try with just 6 minutes left. The Stags again failed to clear deep inside their 22 and were penalised for holding on. Glens took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball along the back line to score wide out. This time the kick was successful. A couple of minutes later Glenrothes added another penalty. Final score Glens 23 Stags 15

A disappointing result for the Stags who were unable to hold on to the lead and at the end were denied a losing bonus point. The players know they will have to cut out some of the basic mistakes in future games. Next Saturday the Stags are again on the road as they travel to take on Kinross with KO 3pm