The Stags were back at home last Saturday as they welcomed near neighbours Alloa to Glensburgh. The sides had already faced each other twice before Christmas with Grangemouth winning the league encounter while Alloa gained revenge in the cup game. The home side made 4 changes in personnel with starts for Watson, Jackson, Denny and Gemmell alongside positional changes for Strathie, McNab and Hind. On another cold and breezy afternoon the Stags had the advantage of the wind in the first half and were quickly into their stride. On 5 minutes they won a lineout just outside the Alloa 22. Hind and Denny had the initial carries before Nesbitt was tackled close to the line. The ball was quickly recycled and Wieczorek forced his way over from close range. The conversion attempt was off target. The Stags increased their lead on 15 minutes. From an attacking scrum good handling by the backs saw Gemmell come into the line to create the overlap for Watters to round the final defender and run round for the score. Skelton added the conversion. As the game entered the second quarter Grangemouth added try number 3. Alloa tried to run from deep in their half but dropped the ball. Watters picked up and carried into the 22. The ball was recycled and this time Gemmell received the scoring pass to score near the corner. The conversion was wide. On the half hour mark the Stags collected the bonus point score. Johnston secured a lineout 20 metres from the visitors goal line. The pack piled in to drive the visitors over their line with Watson collecting the touchdown. Once again the conversion was off target. Alloa finally had some possession in the home 22 but some solid defence kept the visitors out and Grangemouth were able to clear upfield. From an untidy lineout on the visitors 22 the ball was picked up by Wieczorek and the scrum half darted through a huge gap in the Alloa fringe defence to run in for his second score. This time the conversion from Coyle was successful. Just before the break Alloa were rewarded with a converted try after a spell of pressure on the Stags line. HT Stags 29 Alloa 7.
Grangemouth were on top at the start of the second half. They ran a penalty from half way and good link play between Hind and Coyle created enough space for Nesbitt to romp up the touchline before running behind the posts for his first try. Coyle added the extras. A few minutes later Stanley and Coyle combined and once again Nesbitt showed his pace to beat the cover for an unconverted score. Alloa hit back almost immediately and scored a converted try from close range. On 65 minutes Grangemouth added try number 8. From a scrum on halfway the ball was moved wide with Nesbitt appearing on his opposite wing. He made ground to the 22 before his inside pass found Gemmell in support with the fullback running in for his second score. The closing few minutes saw Alloa add 2 further trys to secure a try bonus point while Nesbitt completed a second half hat trick as he outpaced the defence for the score. FT Stags 53. Alloa 24
This was an improved performance by the Stags. They were sharper in attack especially in the first half. The coaches will be concerned by the poor discipline overall as the team continue to give away numerous silly penalties. Nesbitt was awarded man of the match. This week the Stags travel to face Blairgowrie with KO 2pm.