Grangemouth made the short trip across the Clacks Bridge last Saturday as they faced local rivals Alloa. The Stags made 2 changes in personnel and 3 positional changes from the previous week. McNiff and McNab were back in the pack while Hind moved to the second row, Coyle was on the wing with Stanley at fullback. On another good day for rugby Grangemouth made a fast start and scored after 2 minutes. Alloa lost the ball in their 22 and White picked up to crash over for an unconverted score. Five minutes later the Stags doubled their lead when Ferguson forced his way over after a spell of pressure on the Alloa line. Once again the conversion was off target. The home side regrouped and pinned the Stags in their 22. Grangemouth gave away a series of penalties and Hind was given a yellow card. Alloa turned the pressure into points with a converted try. As the game entered the second quarter the Stags were back on the attack in the home 22. Alloa gave away a couple of penalties and Wieczorek took a quick tap to burrow his way over for a score. This time Skelton was on target with the conversion. On 30 minutes Grangemouth added the bonus point score. Johnston secured a lineout 15 metres from the line. The pack piled in to drive over the line with Watson collecting the touchdown. Skelton added the extras. With half time approaching Grangemouth seemed to switch off and the home side punished them with 2 scores. First a loose pass was intercepted and good continuity resulted in a converted score. Then right on half time Alloa picked up from a 5 metre scrum to force their way over for the score. The difficult conversion from near the touchline was on target. HT Alloa 21 Stags 24.
Alloa dominated territory at the start of the second half but were unable to break down the Stags defence. On 47 minutes a long range penalty attempt was off target. Grangemouth finally seemed to wake from their slumber and pinned Alloa in their 22. The home scrum was under severe pressure and after a couple of penalties the referee decided Alloa collapsed a 5 metre scrum and awarded a penalty try. The home side seemed to tire in the closing 15 minutes and the Stags added 3 further trys. First from another Johnston take at a lineout, White drove into the 22. The ball was recycled and Coyle slipped the pass to Allan for the score. Skelton slotted the extras. A few minutes later a quick tap penalty resulted in White crashing over for an unconverted score. Then with the last play of the game another tap penalty was tipped on to Johnston for the score. Skelton was successful with the kick. FT Alloa 21 Stags 50.
This was a hard fought victory for the Stags against a determined Alloa side. Grangemouth dominated the scrums and Johnston provided quality lineout possession and was prominent in the loose. The backs ran hard but lacked accuracy at times. Clark was named man of the match. This week the Stags are back at home as they face Blairgowrie at Glensburgh with KO 3pm.
The 2s were left without a game after Dundee Uni Medics were unable to field a team. The 2s are also at home this week as they welcome Bannockburn for a 3pm KO.
Howe of Fife Ladies 10 Grangemouth Ladies 12.
The ladies travelled to Cupar on Sunday and secured a narrow victory. The game was played in very difficult conditions and Grangemouth made hard work of the victory by failing to take numerous chances. The ladies are next in action on 2 November when they travel to face Dundee.