Stags Back on Top

After the break for the international the previous week, Grangemouth were back in league action last Saturday with Fife Southern making the short trip to Glensburgh. The Rosyth side were sitting at the bottom of the table with only one league win all season and fielded an under strength side. In contrast the Stags had a settled starting line up with Herron the only change from the previous match. The conditions were far from ideal on another bitterly cold day and a heavy pitch following the morning rain. Grangemouth were quickly on the attack with Craig making a 40 metre burst up the line in the opening minute and Dempsey knocking on just short of the line. From the Fife scrum an attempted clearing kick was well taken by Pedyo and the young winger brushed off some poor attempted tackles to score in the corner. On 8 minutes Grangemouth took a quick lineout in midfield and Innes and Dempsey combined to give Herron the space to beat the cover and run round under the posts. Innes was on target with the conversion. Five minutes later the Stags added try number three. A run by Innes set up Dempsey to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted score. The bonus point was secured after just 15 minutes when Johnstone made the initial break and simple hands in the backs allowed Denny the space to score in the corner. Grangemouth continued to attack and, following a run from Connor Mcfarlane, the ball was recycled for Dempsey to feed Curran for the score. On the half hour mark David Mcfarlane was given a yellow card for talking back but immediately the Stags increased their lead. The forwards took a scrum against the head and a kick ahead allowed Dempsey to follow up and collect his second try. With half time approaching a quick tap penalty saw the ball move through the hands for Dempsey to complete his hat trick. None of these scores were converted. Half time 37 – 0

The same pattern continued in the second half as Grangemouth piled on the points. An attempted clearing kick by the visitors was charged down and Keigan drove on into the 22. The ball was recycled and Craig crashed over near the posts. This time Innes did add the extra two points. Soon after the score passed the 50 point mark when Neill crashed over after a series of drives close to the line by the forwards. Again Innes landed the conversion. Skipper McInally then thought he was over the line but the referee adjudged he was stopped short. However the scrum five was won against the head and substitute scrum half Jaworek darted round the blind side to score. More pressure from the pack set up Craig to score his second try a few minutes later. The one way traffic continued with Adam Hind on hand to finish off another flowing move by scoring near the posts with Innes kicking the conversion. There was still time for three more scores in the closing 10 minutes. First another run by Craig took play into the Fife 22 where the visitors were penalised for a high tackle. The tap penalty was quickly taken and Hind was on hand to add his second score. In the closing minutes first Dempsey and then Innes collected scoring passes to complete the rout.
Final score Stags 90 Fife Southern 0

This was another powerful performance by the Stags against a weak Fife side. Grangemouth jumped back to the top of the league with rivals Glenrothes having their match cancelled. Next week Grangemouth travel to Dundee to take on Panmure with KO 3pm.