Trip to West Lothian Earns a Win

With the league programme on hold due to the World Cup the Stags travelled to Livingston last Saturday for a friendly. With a number of regulars unavailable there were starts for Downie and Forsyth on the wings, Denny at centre, Keigan at prop and Nesbitt in the back row. On a bright but cold afternoon Grangemouth had the advantage of the wind in the first half and were quickly on the attack. A run by Forsyth took play into the home 22 and soon after from an attacking scrum Dempsey darted blind and brushed off several attempted tackles to dive over in the corner. Manson was unable to add the extras. The Stags continued to dominate possession and territory in the opening quarter but were unable to turn the pressure into points and add to their lead. On 25 minutes Grangemouth did string a number of phases together with a series of drives close to the Livingston line. They were finally held up over the line and from the resultant 5 metre scrum Dempsey again took on the defence and crashed over from short range. The conversion was again unsuccessful. Livingston did have a spell of possession but were unable to break down the Stags defence. Soon after Grangemouth broke upfield and from a clean lineout on the 22 Dempsey burst throuh some poor tackling to run round under the posts to complete his hat trick. This time Manson was on target with the kick. HT Livingston 0 Stags 17

Grangemouth seemed to up their game at the start of the second half. Some good handling saw Nesbitt and Harvey close to the line before Forsyth was driven into touch close to the line by the home defence. Livingston were unable to escape from their 22 and the Stags were awarded a free kick. Dempsey was again alert and took a quick tap to run in from 20 metres for his 4th score. The conversion attempt was wide. The game again became bogged down in midfield with numerous mistakes by both sides and frequent penalties at the breakdown. On the hour mark a powerful drive by the pack at a scrum on the home 22 resulted in a take against the head. Harvey picked up to make the initial metres and when he was tackled McNiff was on hand to pick up and dive over. Manson added the simple conversion. With 15 minutes to go a rare Livingston attack resulted in a score for the home team. They held on to the ball through a few phases before spinning the ball wide for their winger to squeeze in at the corner for an unconverted score. The Stags hit back and scored from the kick off. They pinned the home team in their 22 and from an attacking lineout McNiff drove over for his second score. The conversion was successful. Livingston added a second score with 5 minutes to play when they were awarded a penalty close to the line and drove over for a try. There was enough time for the Stags to finally use their backs and put some width on the ball and McLay had a simple run in to complete the scoring. FT Livingston 10 Stags 41.

This was a comfortable win but a very untidy performance by the Stags. The game was a very stop/start affair with numerous penalties and mistakes preventing any real flow. Grangemouth were also guilty of failing to use their backs out wide which would surely have produced further scores. They will certainly have to improve for their 2 upcoming fixtures next month against Dunfermline. On 9 November the sides meet at Glensburgh in the league with KO 2pm while the folowing week the semi final of the shield will be played at McKane Park with KO 1.30pm.