1st XV
Matches
Sat 07 Sep 2019
Grangemouth Stags RFC
1st XV
41
5
Mackie Academy FP
Victory in Opening Caley Shield Fixture

Victory in Opening Caley Shield Fixture

Cuda Pedyo10 Sep 2019 - 09:37
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Stags win through to next round of Shield with home win over Mackie

After their opening day league win the previous week the Stags turned their attention to the cup last Saturday when they welcomed Stonehaven side Mackie FP to Glensburgh for a first round tie in the Caledonia Shield. Grangemouth made 3 changes from the previous week with McNiff and Stangoe promoted from the bench while there was a first start for Petrie on the wing. In addition skipper Skelton switched from wing to centre. On a very warm afternoon the Stags made a strong start. After just 4 minutes they secured good lineout possession and Stangoe made a strong run up to the visitors 22. The ball was quickly recycled and backs and forwards combined to pass to Kerry who crashed over in the corner from short range. Skelton was unable to add the extras. Grangemouth were straight back on the attack from the kick off. From a steady scrum in midfield Gemmell cut a perfect line to disect the defence. The full back could have gone over himself but instead turned the ball back inside to the supporting McNiff to touchdown under the posts. Skelton added the simple conversion. A couple of minutes later the Stags should have added their third try after a kick and chase by Allan but the ball was knocked on when it looked easier to score. On 15 minutes Mackie launched an attack from their own line. Good hands by their backs created space for the winger to race 50 metres upfield. When he was halted the ball was passed back inside to his supporting players and only a good covering tackle from Dempsey prevented the score. The home side continued to dominate possession and try number 3 followed on 25 minutes. From a scrum Nesbitt made a great run and when he was tackled just short of the line Kerry was on hand to collect the scoring pass and dive in at the corner. Again the conversion attempt was wide. To their credit Mackie continued to try and run the ball from deep but too often their passes went astray. Just before half time one such move broke down inside their half and Skelton was able to pick up and show a clean pair of heels to the chasers and run in for the score. The centre was able to convert his own try. HT Stags 24 Mackie 0

The second period began with the Stags missing some tackles as Mackie again attacked from deep. However the move broke down and a swift counter attack by the home side saw Kerry make another run. The ball was moved wide and slick handling created the space for Allan to beat his man on the outside and race in at the corner. The conversion attempt was wide. Grangemouth seemed to lose focus and play became very disjointed. This allowed the visitors number 8 to pick up at a breakdown and shake off some poor attemptd tackles before running in at the corner from 30 metres. Play remaind very scrappy in the closing quarter. The Stags added try number 6 after a good run from Hind. The ball was moved wide to the wing where Hugh was lurking and he collected the final pass to run round for the try. Skelton slotted the conversion. In the closing minutes Mackie should have added their second score when a perfect crossfield kick was collected by the winger who raced for the line. Somehow the home defence were able to scramble back to prevent the score. With the final play Hind picked up from an attacking scrum. He was tackled just short but was able to regain his feet and drive over for an unconverted score. FT Stags 41 Mackie 5.

This was a very comfortable but uneven performance by the Stags. The set pieces were solid and there were several good phases of play with forwards and backs combining well. However there were far too many missed tackles which would certainly be more severely punished in the coming weeks. This week Grangemouth return to league action as they travel across the Forth to take on old rivals Glenrothes. KO is 3pm

The seconds kicked off their league campaign last Saturday as they secured a bonus point victory away to Glenrothes. Try scorers in a 24-14 victory were Binnie, McLay and Downie (2) This week the seconds are at home as they welcome Perthshire 2nds to Glensburgh. KO is also 3pm

After an emphatic 97 - 0 win away to Liberton the ladies are at home on Sunday as they play Lismore with KO 2pm

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Sep 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Location

Team overview
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