Stags Trying Time

Grangemouth made the short trip to Stirling last Saturday to take on the University side, The Stags made a few changes with starts for Aspinall and Scott and the return of Skipper at stand off with Denny moving to centre. There was also a place on the bench for new recruit Ben Fulton. The game started badly as the Stags as they conceded a score in the opening minute. The kick off was knocked on inside their 22 and the Stirling forwards collected the loose ball to drive up to and over the line for a converted try. Grangemouth played their way into the game as they secured first phase possession and used the forwards to tie in the students. However too often the ball was lost at the breakdown and Stirling were able to dominate territory. The home side increased their lead with a penalty on 15 minutes as the Stags backs were caught offside. Straight from the restart the University side kicked downfield and again the Stags dropped the ball inside their 22. The loose ball was snapped up by the Stirling side and simple passing saw them in for an unconverted score. Grangemouth continued to make too many mistakes and the home side went further ahead on 30 minutes. A loose clearing kick was returned by the Stirling winger and some weak tackling saw the home backs run in try number three. This time the conversion was on target. With half time approaching the students collected the bonus point try. They drove a lineout and good handling in the backs saw the right winger squeeze in at the corner. Half time University 27 Stags 0

Grangemouth had the early pressure in the second half but were unable to break down the home defence. Curran had a break from a lineout and Pedyo was stopped just short of the line. However a penalty was conceded at the ruck and the home side were able to clear. Almost immediately the Stags again lost the ball in midfield and the students broke upfield with good handling for another unconverted score. From the restart the Stirling backs again broke through some poor attempted tackles to run in from 75 metres for a converted try. Finally Grangemouth managed a period of pressure and opened their account. Weir had a run from a lineout but was held just short of the line. After a couple of drives close to the line Craig was able to barge over for the try. The conversion was missed. The final quarter was very loose with both sides having chances to score. Pedyo had a try saving tackle before Skipper had a good run up the touchline from deep. In the closing minutes Stirling dropped the ball in midfield and Pedyo kicked on. The young winger followed up to tackle the covering player before flipping the ball up to Serafini who ran in from 30 metres for the try. Skipper was on target with the conversion. Final score University 39 Stags 12.

This was a bad defeat for the local side who made far too many mistakes against a useful University side. The coaches and players have much work to do in the next few weeks to improve the intensity and cut down on the simple errors. This Saturday the Stags travel to St Andrews to take on Madras with KO 3pm