Grangemouth were back on the road last Saturday as they travelled north to face Blairgowrie. With a number of regulars unavailable for various reasons the Stags made several changes especially to the back line. In the backs there were starts for Peacham, Balfour, Forsyth and Coyle while Nesbitt switched from wing to centre. Up front there was the welcome return of Harvey in the back row for his first game of the season following an arm break in preseason. The pitch was heavy after all the rain making handling difficult for both teams. The opening exchanges were fairly even with defences on top. After 10 minutes Grangemouth opened the scoring. They counter attacked from deep with Nesbitt and Coyle combining to create the space for Stanley to run in under the sticks. The young centre converted his own score. The Stags continued to look the more likely to score but it was the home side who levelled at the end of the first quarter. A penalty kick failed to find touch and the home side spread the play wide. The winger broke clear and good support play resulted in a converted score. Blairgowrie then missed a penalty attempt before, just on halftime the Stags retook the lead. They attacked down the right wing before hitting up in midfield. When the ball was recycled Balfour skipped past the first tackler and scampered in from 30 metres. Once again Stanley added the extras. HT Blairgowrie 7 Stags 14.
The second half continued in similar fashion with neither side creating any clear chances. On the hour mark after a spell of pressure on the Grangemouth line the home side forced their way over for a second converted try. That set up a grandstand finish with the Stags pushing for the score. A driving maul from a lineout was over the line but the referee decided it was held up. There were breaks from Coyle and Gardiner but the final passes failed to find the support. In a dramatic finish Clark thought he had scored from close range but the referee decided it was a double movement and the score was disallowed. A final penalty attempt was wide and the home side were grateful to clear their lines and hear the final whistle. FT Blairgowrie 14 Stags 14.
This was a hard fought, attritional game of rugby with defences on top and little space for running rugby. The Stags were clearly disappointed to drop points as they enter the final games of the season. There were good performances from Coyle, Stanley and Balfour. Grangemouth now have a six week break from the leagues with their next game against Hillfoots at home on 21 March.
The seconds game against Rosyth was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. Their next game is also 21 March at home to Dundee Medics.