Stags Win in Teeth of Howling Gale

Grangemouth travelled to Alloa last Saturday for their last league game of 2013. The Stags made a number of changes with starts for Stirling, Keigan, Kerry, McNiff and Binnie in the forwards with Ward and Serafini in the backs. The Alloa pitch was in remarkably good condition after all the rain during the week but the game was played in awful conditions with driving rain and a bitterly cold wind throughout. Grangemouth won the toss and played with the wind in the first half. Straight from the kick of the Stags forwards were on top as they drove up field before the ball was moved to Randalls for a rumble into the home 22. The opening try duly arrived after just 2 minutes. The ball was moved out to Innes who made a half break before passing (2nd time this season) to fellow centre Randalls who bulldozed over the line from 10 metres. McInally was off target with the conversion. Try number 2 followed 5 minutes later. McNiff picked up from a scrum in midfield and made 10 metres. Kerry was on hand to lead the second wave of attackers and when the ball was recycled Skipper darted through the cover defence to score near the posts. McInally kicked the conversion. Grangemouth continued to dominate territory and possession but were unable to increase their lead in the very difficult conditions. On 30 minutes Stirling received a yellow card for a late tackle and this allowed Alloa to press the Stags line. Some poor tackling saw the home side score a converted try to reduce the lead. However the Stags responded with the forwards lead by Binnie and Keigan producing a series of drives up to the Alloa line before Weir peeled off a ruck to score from short range. The conversion was again wide from McInally. Half time Alloa 7 Stags 17

Both sides headed for the sanctuary of the changing rooms at half time and Alloa even had the luxury of appearing in a dry set of strips for the second half. However it was the Stags who again started the second period on top. McInally had a great run from a lineout and made 40 metres before being stopped by a last gasp tap tackle. A few minutes later Grangemouth grabbed the all important bonus point score. Once again the forwards drove on from a tap penalty with young Ben Kerry crashing over from short range to collect his first try for the senior side. McInally was back on target with the conversion. The home side hit back and on 60 minutes were rewarded with their second try. Good play down the left wing saw the Alloa forwards drive over for an unconverted score. This proved to be the final scoring act of the game. The Stags forwards continued to dominate possession as they pinned Alloa back inside their own half. The full time whistle was a welcome relief to the players and the small band of spectators who had braved the elements. Full time Alloa 12 Stags 24

This was a good win for the Stags in truly horrendous conditions. The forwards dominated the scrums and the tight five in particular put in a hard shift in the loose. The backs had little ball to work with but defended well. Next week the Stags travel to Glenrothes for the quarter final of the Midland Bowl. KO is 1.30pm.