Stags keep Glens at Bay

Last Saturday second placed Glenrothes were the visitors to Glensburgh in a vital top of the table clash. The Stags held a one point advantage in the league standings over Glens although the Fife side had a game in hand. Grangemouth brought in Sangster at stand off with Johnstone moving back to full back and Denny switching to the wing. Glenrothes started the match well and took the lead after just 3 minutes. They had pinned the local side in their own half from the start and won lineout possession just outside the 22. The scrum half darted round the back of the lineout and linked with his stand off who raced in from 15 metres for an unconverted score. They could have increased their lead a few minutes later when a poor attempted clearing kick found the Glens winger in the clear but luckily he knocked on and the chance was lost. Grangemouth gradually worked their way into the game and opened their account on 17 minutes. The forwards drove a lineout into the 22 before releasing the backs. Good hands in the centre saw Pedyo come off the left wing to collect the pass and dive over in the right corner for the score. Sangster was wide with the conversion. On 22 minutes the Stags were awarded a kickable penalty. However the decision was reversed for foul play and Dempsey was given a yellow card. Despite being a man down the Stags continued to press. Sangster made a break and quick recycled ball saw Innes tackled without the ball after a chip into the Glens 22. The Glenrothes player was also sent to the sin bin and Sangster kicked the resultant penalty. A few minutes later Pedyo used his pace in defence to chase back and clear his lines. As half time approached the visitors had a couple of chances to take the lead. First they made a blindside break from a ruck but were stopped close to the home line and then a lineout drive from close range was disrupted by the Stags forwards and the ball was cleared up field. Half time Stags 8 Glens 5.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with neither side dominating. Good play by the Glenrothes right wing and full back tidied up a dangerous situation close to their own line following a kick from Sangster. The Stags increased their lead just before the hour mark. Dempsey made the initial break and Glens were penalised at the breakdown. Sangster slotted home the penalty from 30 metres. Glens struck back but a knock on deep in the Stags half saw Pedyo collect the loose ball and race 40 metres before being tackled. As the game entered the closing 10 minutes Glenrothes camped inside the Grangemouth 22 but some great defence by the locals and some poor options by the visitors kept the Stags line intact. As if the local supporter’s nerves weren’t bad enough the referee then played an incredible 10 minutes of injury time but the Stags held on and finally Sangster kicked to touch for the very welcome sound of the final whistle. Final score Stags 11 Glenrothes 5

This was a very hard fought and important victory for the Stags which keeps their title hopes alive. Unfortunately the losing bonus point for Glenrothes means they will regain top spot if they have a bonus point win in their game in hand next weekend. Next Saturday the Stags turn their attention to the final of the Midland Bowl when Panmure will travel to Glensburgh for a 3pm KO