Close run thing in Tillicoultry

Grangemouth travelled to Tillicoultry last Saturday to take on high flying Hillfoots. The Wee County side had won all seven league games and had picked up maximum bonus points so the Stags knew they were in for a very tough match. The local side were without Fulton, Neill and Parsons and this allowed starts for Craig, McNab, Ward, Herron and Johnston. Grangemouth played up the slope in the first half and had the better of the opening minutes. Early territory saw the home side concede a penalty and McInally opened the scoring after 8 minutes. From the kick off Innes had a fine run to take play back into the Hillfoots half. However after 13 minutes it was the home side who scored the first try. Grangemouth had won the ball inside their 22 and had driven up to half way. The ball was turned over and a couple of quick passes saw the ball reach the left winger who stepped round his man before beating the full back for a fine individual score. The conversion was successful. Both sides cancelled each other out for most of the rest of the half with defences very much on top. As half time approached Ward had a break from a lineout and his kick and chase was only just scrambled clear by the home defence. Half Time Foots 7 Stags 3.

Grangemouth started the second half strongly and used the slope to pin Hillfoots in their own half. After 55 minutes the Stags scored an excellent team try. Innes made the initial break in midfield and his pass found Herron. The young winger powered down the line and was hauled down just short of the line. The ball was recycled a couple of times with the forwards hitting up in midfield before the backs were released with Johnston collecting the scoring pass as the home side ran out of defenders. McInally was again on target for the extra 2 points. Grangemouth continued to press. Innes had another break but lacked support and the chance was lost. As the game entered the closing 15 minutes Hillfoots began to use their pack to dominate possession and territory. They kicked a penalty on 68 minutes to tie the scores. Soon after their pack drove a lineout 15 minutes and looked certain to score but were penalised for a double movement on the try line. The try was only delayed a couple of minutes. The Hillfoots scrum drove up to the Stags line and although the initial defence saw the home side driven back the ball was released to the blind where the number 8 crashed over for a converted score. There was just enough time for the Stags to mount a series of attacks on the Foots line. Herron, Keighan and Innes were all held up just short as the home side conceded several penalties on their line. Finally they managed to clear their lines and the final whistle was greeted with a huge roar from players and supporters.

This was a much improved performance by the Stags and they were unlucky not to come away with the victory. Innes and Herron were excellent in the backs while the back row of Curran, McNiff and McNab tackled well throughout. Next Saturday Grangemouth are on the road again as they travel to Broughty Ferry to take on Panmure with a 2pm KO