The Stags travelled to Kinross last Saturday for their final match of 2025. The side were keen to finish the year on a high especially after the last minute cancellation of the previous weeks fixture. Grangemouth selected a strong side making two changes from their last outing with Strathie and Gardiner coming into the second row. On a very cold, windy and wet afternoon the Stags had the wind at their back in the first half and made an unbelievable start. From a wobbly kick off Gardiner stooped to scoop the ball off his bootlaces. He burst through the first line of defence and galloped up to the 22. Watson carried further and when the ball was recycled the backs moved the ball wide for Stanley to round the final defender and score. Skelton added the conversion via the upright. Kinross tried again and kicked to the Stags 22. This time the ball was fed back to Skelton and he boomed his kick downfield resulting in a 50/22. Johnston secured the lineout and the flat pass to White saw the skipper drag half of Kinross with him as he powered over for the score. Skelton slotted the conversion and the Stags were 2 scores to the good inside 4 minutes with the hosts having zero possession. Kinross at last worked their way into the Grangemouth half. They were helped by several needless penalties. They pinned the Stags deep in their 22 but were kept out by some strong defence and eventually the siege was lifted and the ball was cleared upfield. On 12 minutes the Stags added try number 3. From a lineout Gardiner carried and passed to Herron who took the shortest route to the line for the score. Skelton was again on target. Grangemouth wrapped up the bonus point with their 4th try in the opening quarter. Another White carry allowed Skelton to run into space. He found Coyle in support and his inside pass was collected by Johnston to score in the corner. This time the conversion was off target. Despite their early dominance Grangemouth continued to give away frequent penalties and soon after skipper White was given a yellow card for repeated offences. Kinross used the extra man to drive the Stags back into their 22 and after another tap penalty they forced their way over for an unconverted score. Shortly after Allan had to leave the field after a leg injury with young Stanley moving to centre. Try number 5 followed on the half hour mark. From a midfield scrum Skelton gave a flat pass to Herron and the centre burst through the defence before rounding the fullback for the score. Skelton added the conversion. A few minutes later another Skelton 50/22 pinned the home side deep in their 22. The lineout was secured and White popped the pass to Herron to complete his hat trick. Skelton kicked the extras. With the last play of the half the home side ran another tap penalty and squeezed over for a converted score. HT Kinross 12 Stags 40.
The Stags were now playing into the strong wind in the second half but quickly increased their lead. Watson overthrew a lineout just inside the home 22. Strathie was first to react and he drove over for the score. The conversion was off target. Grangemouth continued to be penalised for high tackles and Jackson was next on the naughty step. Despite the wind and the extra man Kinross continued to try and run the ball from deep rather than kick. As a result they dropped the ball and Stanley showed some neat soccer skills to kick through and win the race for the touchdown. Skelton added the easy conversion. As the game entered the final quarter Kinross added a third try after a tap penalty close to the line. Soon after Sloan became the 3rd player to receive a yellow card for a high tackle. Despite this the Stags finished with2 further scores. Good handling a support play allowed Johnston to score in the corner and then a driving maul from a lineout saw Watson emerge from the pile of bodies to claim the score. Neither conversion was successful. FT Kinross 19 Stags 62.
This was a hard fought victory for the Stags in very difficult conditions. Both sides deserve credit for their efforts on a wild afternoon. There were several positives for the coaches. The scrums were solid throughout while the backs handled well. Skelton controlled the game with his kicking in the first half while Herron was given man of the match for his 3 trys and strong carries. Of more concern were the poor discipline with numerous penalties conceded and 3 yellow cards. The Stags now have a break for the festive period and the next game is Perthshire away on 10 January with a 2pm KO.