Stags Finish League Programme with a Win

For the final time this season the Stags were in action last Saturday as Madras were the visitors to Glensburgh. The St. Andrews side had called off the fixture twice due to lack of numbers and the game was again in doubt as they turned up with only 12 players. However after discussion between the clubs and the match official Grangemouth gave the visitors three players from their bench – Paul Rutherford, Ross Christie and Ross Myles – and the game went ahead. On a perfect day for rugby the Stags were quickly on the attack and scored after just 2 minutes. Denny and Innes linked well to take play into the Madras 22 and when the ball was recycled Allan came into the line to create the space for Pedyo to score in the corner. The winger then collected the second try on 12 minutes. A Madras clearance failed to find touch and the Stags moved the ball wide. This time Innes gave the scoring pass to Pedyo with the centre adding the conversion. Five minutes later Grangemouth added try number 3. They kicked a penalty into the corner and from the lineout the forwards drove over the line with Jamieson collecting the touchdown. Innes was again on target with the conversion. Madras continued to try and attack at every opportunity and they almost scored on 24 minutes after a break by their winger. However he was bundled into touch by a cover tackle from Herron. The bonus point score came on 30 minutes. Madras were turned over in midfield and the ball was moved to Herron. The winger brushed off a couple of attempted tackles to score near the corner. Innes landed the difficult conversion. Just before half time the Stags collected try number 5. Another loose clearance kick failed to find touch and was fielded by Allan. He took the play back into the visitors 22 and when the ball was recycled Jamieson was on hand to rumble the last few metres for the score. HT Stags 31 Madras 0

Grangemouth turned to their bench at the start of the second half and almost scored from the kick off. Innes made the break and the move was carried on by McFarlane. Pedyo was unable to hold on to the final pass and the chance was lost. Soon after another Herron burst up the touchline saw the winger crash over in the corner. The one way traffic continued with another loose kick was returned by the Stags with Herron able to collect the final pass and complete his hat trick. The winger also stood up to bang over the conversion. A few minutes later another poor kick out of defence was collected by Pedyo and with the line free the winger slipped the pass back inside for the supporting McFarlane to gallop over for the try. Innes added the extras. From the kick off Grangemouth swept up field with McNiff leading the charge. He was stopped short of the line but popped the pass to Stangoe for the score. Innes again adding the simple conversion. With 10 minutes to go McFarlane collected his second try and he picked up the loose ball from a disrupted Madras scrum to stroll over the line with Innes again slotting the conversion. The centre then decided to showboat as he landed a drop goal and with the final play of the game McNiff charged over for a deserved score with Innes landing the conversion. FT Stags 74 Madras 0

This was a very easy win for the Stags against a Madras side which was outplayed throughout. The 3 Grangemouth players who played for the visitors all did well with young Ross Myles making several important tackles. With Stirling University being disqualified from the league there are no more fixtures for the 1st XV. The seconds still have to play Arbroath away on 2 May while the usual touring squad (without Daniel) head to Orkney the same weekend.After the game the club held the kicking competition and to everyone’s surprise the winner was Daniel Ward.

On Saturday night the club held the annual players and supporters dinner with 90+ in attendance. Guest speaker was Frank McAvennie. The awards for the mens side went to David John Innes, James Denny, Adam Hind and Sam Herron (all under 21 players) The ladies awards went to Victoria Harper, Lorna McDougall, Rhona Scott, Natalie Wood, Kerry Wilson and Claire Morrison.