Set Back at Carnoustie

It was back to league business last Saturday and the Stags were on the road as they travelled to play Carnoustie. The sides had already met twice earlier in the season with Grangemouth edging the league encounter while Carnoustie claimed the cup victory in extra time. The Stags fielded a strong side with Hind restored to the second row alongside Binnie, McNab switching to the back row and young Chapman returning at stand off. Grangemouth had the advantage of the breeze in the first half and were quickly on the attack. The opening score came after just three minutes. From a scrum midway inside the Carnoustie half the backs ran a move with Innes slicing through the defence. He then linked with Herron on the outside and the winger had enough pace to beat the cover and score near the posts. Innes added the conversion. Carnoustie should have replied a few minutes later. They counter attacked from deep and the final pass looked to have set up a score but the referee brought the play back for a foot in touch. The home side did score on 10 minutes. A huge drive by the forwards from a lineout took play from the 22 to the 5 metre line. When the maul was finally halted the Carnoustie forwards peeled off the back to score near the posts. The conversion was wide. The Stags were then forced to change the front row as Weir and Stirling went off injured and were replaced by Christie and Buchanan. On the half hour mark the home side took the lead. Once again it came from a lineout close to the line as the home forwards drove over for an unconverted score. In the closing minutes of the half Grangemouth pressed for a score. Innes was held up short and the forwards had a series of drives which were well defended. With the final kick of the half Innes tied the scores with a simple penalty for offside. HT Carnoustie 10 Stags 10

Innes had the chance to retake the lead at the start of the half but his penalty drifted just wide. Gradually the home forwards tightened their grip as the Stags struggled to clear their lines. On 50 minutes an overthrow at a lineout in midfield allowed the home backs to move the ball wide and score in the corner. Again the kick was wide. As the game entered the final quarter Carnoustie collected the bonus point score in controversial circumstances. The home forwards had a series of drives which took play up to the line. The referee seemed to be in the wrong position to see the ball being grounded but after a considerable delay gave the try. Five minutes later the Carnoustie backs moved the ball wide and despite being stopped close to the line the ball was recycled quickly to create the space for an unconverted score in the corner. The closing minutes saw Grangemouth finish on top and they did collect a consolation try. The home defence looked to have held firm against several phases of play but the ball was moved out to allow Herron to appear in midfield and burst through the last defender to score under the posts. Innes duly added the extra 2 points. FT Carnoustie 25 Stags 17

This was a disappointing result for the Stags as they lost to the better side on the day. Herron played well in attack and defence but the forwards were outplayed in the lineout and the loose. This week the Stags take on Stirling University at Glensburgh. Please check the website for the KO time.