On the Road Bonus

For the final time this season Grangemouth were on the road last Saturday as they travelled to take on bottom side Kinross. Once again the Stags were forced into wholesale changes with 4 positional changes in addition to the five changes in the starting line up with Dean Craig and Rutherford, on the wing and Christie, Neill and Aspinall in the pack. The heavy overnight rain had cleared and the pitch was in remarkably good condition. Grangemouth had the advantage of the breeze in the first half and were quickly on the attack. After 5 minutes Neill made 30 metres from a scrum pick up to take play into the home 22. When the ball was recycled James Craig crashed over the line but the ball was held up. The Stags continued to press for the opening score and it duly arrived on 10 minutes. Innes collected an attempted kick to touch and jinked his way in field to link with his forwards. They took play up to the Kinross 22 and when the ball was moved along the back line Rutherford was on hand to squeeze in at the corner. Skipper was on target with the difficult conversion. Grangemouth continued to dominate possession and territory but failed to add to their lead until the start of the second quarter. Another Neill run took play to the home 22. Innes set up the ball in midfield and quick hands saw team captain Denny slice through the defence to score near the posts. Skipper added the easy conversion. The home side finally had some possession and used their big forwards in a series of drives close to the Grangemouth line. Finally the defence cracked and the unconverted try was scored from close range. On the half hour mark Rutherford collected a clearance kick to set up play inside the Kinross half. Skipper placed a chip kick behind the defence and the ball bounced up perfectly for Hind to collect and stroll over under the posts. Skipper kicked the extra 2 points. Two minutes later Grangemouth collected the bonus point score. From a scrum in midfield the ball was initially moved wide down the right wing. When the move was halted the ball was swung back to the open side where Innes beat his man to run in under the posts. Skipper made it 4 successful conversions in a row. As half time approached the Stags added try number five. Neill again made 20 metres from a scrum pick up before crisp handling by the backs saw full back Allan collect the scoring pass to score in the corner. This time the conversion was off target. HT Kinross 5 Stags 33

The second period was a much scrappier and disjointed affair as Grangemouth tried to play from deep. As a result it was Kinross who opened the scoring at the start of the half as they moved the ball along the backs and a missed tackle saw the full back come in at an angle for a converted score under the posts. As the game entered the final quarter the Stags finally gained some territory. Allan had a good run from deep and a couple of minutes later the full back retrieved a kick downfield before linking with Innes. The centre set off up field and beat his man on the outside before cutting inside the home fullback to score under the posts. Skipper added conversion number 5. With 10 minutes to go Innes almost collected his hat trick but was held up over the line after a quick tap penalty. From the resulting scrum the ball was moved along the line for veteran winger Cuthbertson to use his bulk to barge over in the corner. This time the kick was wide. Neither side could add to the scoring in the closing minutes.
Full time Kinross 12 Stags 45

This was a mixed performance from the Stags with some excellent play in the first half but with the game won too much loose play in the second period. Neill had a fine game making metres from every scrum pick up and dominating possession at the front of the lineout. In the backs there were strong performances from Allan and Innes. The Stags now have a break before their next league match with no games planned for the first team in February. However the seconds have a couple of games planned and next Saturday they travel to Cupar to take on Howe of Fife 2nds with KO 2pm.