Stags downed in Dundee

Grangemouth were back on the road last Saturday as they travelled to Dundee to take on Harris. The home side were sitting second top of the league and had already defeated the Stags in the opening game of the season. Grangemouth made three changes from their last game with Keigan and Binnie starting in the pack and Jardine coming in on the wing with Serafini switching to fullback. The pitch was in good condition but there was a strong wind blowing across the park. Grangemouth played up the slope in the first half and were under pressure from the kick off. Harris were unable to take advantage of the early possession and the Stags defence held firm. The Grangemouth forwards soon began to make some ground with a series of forward drives. However when the ball was moved wide a dropped pass in midfield saw a Harris counter attack with the winger held just short of the line. Quick ball resulted in an easy try in the corner. The home side almost doubled their lead a couple of minutes later but the final pass was forward. The second try did come on 15 minutes. The home backs worked a loop move to give just enough space for the left winger to squeeze in at the corner. Both trys were unconverted. Grangemouth were struggling to gain much clean ball from the set pieces at this stage and were unable to put any real pressure on the home defence. On the half hour mark the home side added their third try. The inside centre made the break and was only halted 5 metres from the Stags line. The home side took a quick tap penalty and the winger rounded the cover to score near the posts. This time the kick was on target. With 5 minutes to go in the half Grangemouth finally had some territory and possession and managed to open their account. Curran charged down an attempted clearance and the forwards drove near the Harris line. The home side conceded a number of penalties before Skipper found Innes with a pop pass and the centre burst the attempted tackle to score under the posts. McInally added the conversion. Harris finished the half on the attack but Neill made a good covering tackle and the defence held firm.
Half time Harris 17 Stags 7

From the kick off the home side were back on the attack and only a timely interception from Stirling halted a move from deep. On 56 minutes Harris collected the bonus point score. They worked a peel round the front of the lineout and the big blindside flanker brushed aside a couple of attempted tackles to score. Again the kick was wide. From the kick off Harris again broke up field and although the move was halted initially the ball was recycled for another score in the corner. The closing 15 minutes saw the Stags finally take some control. After another series of rumbles from the forwards the Stags gained a penalty inside the Harris 22. From the tap Innes angled his run and although initially held up the sizeable frame of Binnie helped drive him over the line for his second try. Once again McInally kicked the conversion. Soon after Neill had a break from 40 metres out but was caught by the cover with no Stags player in close support. With the last play of the game Grangemouth attacked the home line. From another tap penalty once again Innes was able to break the tackles and score wide out. McInally split the uprights with the difficult conversion to earn his side a losing bonus point. FT Harris 27 Stags 21

This was a disappointing performance and result for the Stags against an organised Harris side who deserved the win. Grangemouth made far too many mistakes. The set pieces were generally poor and again indiscipline and mouthing at the referee was unacceptable. Next week the Stags turn their attention to the Midland Bowl as they travel to Glenrothes. KO should be 1.30 pm (check the website)