Stags Misfire at Home

Grangemouth opened their league campaign with a home game against Harris last Saturday. The Dundee side had won the opening game of last season so the Stags knew they were in for a tough match. With Johnston and Innes unavailable in the backs Denny was switched to stand off with Rooney starting in the centre. In the forwards Neil and Craig were back in their usual positions. Harris were quickly on the attack and opened the scoring after just 3 minutes. They won a lineout on the home 22 and their scrum half made the initial break before quick recycled ball was moved along the back line for the centre to score near the corner. The conversion was wide. Grangemouth had the bulk of the possession for the next 15 minutes but conceded too many turnovers and penalties at the break down to allow the visitors to clear their lines. On 19 minutes Mcniff was given a yellow card for foul play and Harris kicked the simple penalty to increase their lead. Grangemouth defended well for the next 10 minutes but just before the end of the sin bin period they conceded a soft try. From a home scrum inside their 22 the ball squirted out the side and the Harris flanker picked up the loose ball to crash over. The conversion was successful. With half time approaching the Stags pressed hard on the Harris line but were unable to break the solid defence. Instead the visitors intercepted on their own 22 and raced 75 metres to score an unconverted try. Half time Stags 0 Harris 20.

Grangemouth dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second period and finally opened their account on 45 minutes. From a quick tap penalty Curran and McInally were involved in the initial drive before stand off Denny slipped through the defence to score. McInally was on target with the conversion. The Stags were unable to build on this score and after 52 minutes the visitors secured the bonus point try. They drove a lineout in the home 22 and a pop pass saw the flanker crash over for a converted score. Grangemouth continued to have much of the possession but were unable to break down the Harris defence. Craig was held up over the line twice but again discipline let the Stags down as Ward was given a yellow card for dissent. In the closing minutes Herron had a rare run but it was the visitors who collected the final score. A chip to the corner saw the Stags defence caught out and the ball was again turned over and simple passing saw the winger score in the corner. Final score Stags 7 Harris 32.

This was a very disappointing performance and result for the Stags. In attack they lacked penetration and they failed to clear out the breakdown and conceded far too many penalties and turnovers. The players know they will have to up their performances in the weeks ahead. Next Saturday the Stags make the short trip to Stirling to take on the University side with KO 3pm