Stags back to Winning Ways

Grangemouth were back at home last Saturday with Carnoustie the visitors to Glensburgh. The home side knew they would be in for a tough match as the visitors were unbeaten and sitting second top of the league after four straight wins. The Stags fielded a much stronger line up with Weir, Jamieson, Carrie, McNiff and Parsons were all back in the starting XV. The overnight rain had cleared and the pitch was in good condition for the game. Grangemouth were immediately under pressure as they failed to deal with the kick off to give the visitors early possession and territory. However the home defence remained intact and it was the Stags who opened the scoring on 5 minutes. A clearance kick from Carnoustie was fielded by Pedyo who linked with Parsons and young Chapman to take play up to the visitors 22. The backs were caught offside and Innes slotted the resultant penalty. Carnoustie continued to press and were wide with a penalty on 12 minutes but as the game entered the second quarter the scores were tied as the visitors kicked an easy penalty. With half time approaching Herron had a good run and a lineout drive was held up just short of the line as the Stags looked to retake the lead before the break. This time the Carnoustie defence remained solid to leave the half time score at 3- 3.

The game exploded into life at the start of the second period. The Stags reclaimed the ball from the kick off to set up play at the visitors 22. The forwards had a couple of rumbles from a scrum before the ball was switched back to the blind where Parsons burst through a gap to score in the corner. Innes was wide with the kick. Grangemouth increased their lead on 53 minutes. Carnoustie were on the attack and their stand off slid a kick into the home 22. Parsons scooped up the ball and raced 40 metres up the touchline before feeding back inside to Herron. The big winger burst through the final tackle to coast in under the posts for an excellent try. Innes added the extra 2 points. Soon after the visitors reduced the lead as they drove a lineout from close range for a converted score. With just 5minutes left in the game the scores were tied again. Carnoustie won a lineout on the home 22 and one of the forwards burst clear from the maul to run in unopposed in the corner. The closing few minutes saw the Stags back on the attack. They managed to mess up one penalty just outside the Carnoustie 22 but with just 2 minutes left the visitors were harshly penalised at a scrum. Innes stepped up to slot the kick to give the home side a narrow lead. However with the last kick of the game Carnoustie had a penalty attempt from 40 metres which slid just wide of the posts. FT Stags 18 Carnoustie 15

This was a hard fought win for the Stags after a much improved performance from the previous weeks. The Grangemouth back row of Scott, McNiff and young Paul Rutherford worked well in attack and defence while the backs ran hard with the limited ball they received. This week the Stags are at home again as they face Panmure. KO is 3pm