Ton Up Stags

With the Midlands Bowl safely in the trophy cabinet, Grangemouth turned their attention back to the league with Kinross the visitors to Glensburgh last Saturday. Grangemouth were sitting in second place in the league just one bonus point behind leaders Glenrothes but with an inferior points difference so the local side knew a big win was required. The Stags made four changes with Mitchell, Neill, Ward and Serafini in the starting line up. The conditions were perfect for rugby and Grangemouth wasted no time in opening the score. Straight from the kick off they turned the ball over and simple handling in the backs saw Pedyo breeze round his man to score in the corner. Three minutes later the home side doubled their lead. McFarlane picked up from a scrum in midfield and passed to Denny who made ground to the 22. Mitchell surged on and quick recycling of the ball allowed Dempsey to beat the cover for his first score. On 10 minutes another Mitchell burst set up play inside the Kinross 22 allowing Johnstone an easy run in under the posts. The stand off was successful with the conversion. The bonus point try was secured on 15 minutes. A rare Kinross attack was turned over deep inside the Stags 22 and the ball was moved the length of the field for Pedyo to feed Curran for the score in the corner. The try feast continued with try number five following a loose scrum in midfield. The ball was tidied and moved to Neill who burst through the initial tackle and race in from 40 metres. Innes added the conversion. From the kick off the ball was moved wide for Dempsey to run in for his second try. The next attack saw Johnstone make the initial break before feeding Innes for his first try. Try number 8 arrived on the half hour mark. Jamieson kicked ahead and Curran followed up to ease the defender out of the way and pick up before running round under the posts. Innes added the easy extra points. On 37 minutes the Stags reached the half century of points. A loose clearing kick was collected by Serafini who brushed off three attempted tackles to beat the cover and run round behind the posts. Innes again added the extra points. With the last play of the half a Curran run was halted just short of the line but the flanker was able to get back to his feet and collect the scoring pass. Again Innes added the conversion. Half time Stags 62 Kinross 0.

The second half continued in the same vein as Grangemouth added another 11 trys. Kinross were turned over in midfield and McInally made the initial break before passing to Davie McFarlane who ran in from 20 metres for the try. The kick off was collected deep and the ball moved out to Dempsey who made 40 metres before finding Denny for the score. Innes converted both scores. Three minutes later Innes and Ward combined to feed Serafini to score in the corner. At 81 nil down Kinross were awarded a penalty and decided to take the three points on offer. This was to prove to be their only score as Grangemouth continued to attack at every opportunity. Substitute Herron was halted just short of the line and Innes was on hand to pick up the ball and score. On the hour the Stags passed the 90 point mark. Davie McFarlane again made 20 metres from a scrum pick up before linking with his centres with Dempsey receiving the scoring pass. Innes added two further points. With 15 minutes to go Grangemouth notched up their century of points. An attempted clearing kick was charged down and again Innes gave the scoring pass to Dempsey. Innes was again on target with the kick. Dempsey then collected his fifth try and he chased and collected his own kick ahead to score in the corner. Innes added his third try as he finished off another sweeping move with a score in the corner. With 5 minutes to go Serafini completed his hat trick as he received an inside pass following a scrum to score near the posts. Innes kicked another 2 points. There was still enough time for 2 more scores. Herron made the initial run and linked with Binnie. The veteran forward passed to Connor McFarlane who galloped over in the corner. With the last play of the game a mix up in the Kinross defence allowed McInally to collect and feed on to Craig who strolled in under the posts. Davie McFarlane added the conversion. Final score Stags 129 Kinross 3.

This was a ruthless performance by the Stags and this result certainly boosted their points difference as they remain 1 point behind Glenrothes with just 4 games to go. Innes collected 35 points, Dempsey scored 5 trys and there were hat tricks for Curran and Serafini. The visitors were considerably under strength but credit must go to all at Kinross who were determined to play the fixture at all costs. This weekend sees the Stags play old rivals Llandybie for the Alban Jenkins Shield. The game is on Friday 8 March with KO 2pm