The Stags headed up the A9 last Saturday to face Highland in the playoff semifinal. The Inverness side had won the North Conference and a tough match was expected on the artificial turf at Canal Park. Grangemouth made numerous changes from their last outing in April. In the forwards there was a new look front row with Bell and Jackson in at prop and Clark switching to hooker. While in the backs it was all change with Balfour moving to the wing and starts for Coyle, Nesbitt, Stanley, Herron and Skelton. The Stags made a strong start. Three early dominant scrums including 2 against the head pinned the home side in their 22. After a number of phases on the goal line the ball was popped to Bell to crash over from close range. Coyle added the extras. Grangemouth failed to press home their early advantage and on 10 minutes the home side responded with a 30 metre penalty. The Highland backs were looking dangerous with ball in hand and it was no surprise when they scored their first try on 17 minutes. From a scrum in midfield a loose pass was scooped up by the home centre who broke a tackle to run in under the sticks for a converted score. Almost immediately they added a second. They moved the ball wide to outflank the defence and score in the corner. Highland remained on top and on 30 minutes a wide pass was collected by the winger who made ground before slipping the ball back inside to his centre for another converted score. On 35 minutes the home side missed a penalty attempt at goal. Then with the last play of the half Grangemouth were finally back close to the Highland line. A series of drives were halted before the Stags were held up over the line and the chance was lost.
HT Highland 22 Stags 7.
Grangemouth made a terrible start to the second period. From the kick off they lost the ball in midfield and good handling by the home backs resulted in another converted score. On 45 minutes the Stags reduced the deficit. They kicked a penalty deep into the home 22 and from the resultant lineout the pack drove over with Bell collecting his second score. Coyle was off target with the conversion. As the game entered the final quarter Grangemouth reduced the deficit further in similar fashion. First they drove a lineout 20 metres before it was halted illegally by the home team. From the resultant lineout Johnston collected, the pack drove over and Bell completed his hat trick. Coyle added the extras.With 12 minutes to play, and 12 points down, another spell of pressure on the home line saw Bell crash over for an unbelievable 4th try. This time Coyle was unsuccessful with the conversion. Crucially the Stags failed to deal with the kick off and Highland pounced to extend their lead with a converted score. With 3 minutes to play Gardner made 30 metres before being tackled and when the home side infringed again a quick tap penalty saw Clark dive over for an unconverted score. However once again the Stags failed to deal with the kick off and the home side slotted a penalty to seal the victory and earn a place in the final against Perthshire. FT Highland 39 Stags 29.
This was a disappointing way to end the season for the Stags. A poor spell in the first half resulted in some soft scores and failing to deal with a couple of kick offs late on were crucial. The pack were dominant in set pieces with Bell, Clark, Johnston and McNab prominent in attack and defence. The backs were much sharper than in previous weeks but couldn’t find the gaps against a young Highland outfit. Unsurprisingly Bell was man of the match for his 4 trys and all round play. And so season 25/26 is finally over and the players can look forward to a few weeks off before we start all over again in July.