End to End match sees Stags lose out

The Stags were finally back in league action last Saturday when Dunfermline made the short trip across the Forth to Glensburgh. The Fife side were runners up in the league last season and were unbeaten this season so a tough match was expected. Grangemouth were able to field a strong starting lineup with Allan and Petrie back on the wings, Skelton at stand off, Nesbitt in the back row and Black in the front row. On a cold but bright afternoon it was the Stags who kicked off and the visitors were penalised at the first breakdown. Skelton's penalty attempt hit the upright and Dunfermline were able to clear their lines. Grangemouth continued to dominate the early territory and on 12 minutes Skelton was on target with a penalty from 35 metres. The home side maintained their tight grip on the game as they pnned Dunfermline in their 22. The Stags had a series of scrums close to the line which somehow the visitors managed to defend. McNiff was convinced he had managed to ground the ball over the line but the referee was unsighted and no try was awarded. Dunfermline were reduced to 14 after frequent offences at the breakdown but again their defence managed to hold out. A turnover by the Stags saw Allan stopped close to the line before Dempsey had another dart and Nesbitt was held up over the line. With 3 minutes left in the half Skelton landed his second penalty to double the lead. With the final play of the half the visitors had a rare excursion into Grangemouth territory. A penalty attempt at goal landed short Allan set off on a run upfield before being tackled on halfway. HT Stags 6 Dunfermline 0

The visitors started well at the start of the second half but were unable to break down some solid defence by the home side. The third quarter remained scoreless with neither attack able to make the decisive breakthrough. Then on 60 minutes Dunfermline kicked into the Stags 22. The home defence were able to recover the ball but the attempted clearing kick was charged down and the Dunfermline player was able to dive on the loose ball just before it crossed the dead ball line. The conversion attempt was wide. Grangemouth were straight back on the attack and a couple of minutes later Skelton was wide with a penalty attempt. Dunfermline were again struggling to clear their lines and a wild pass inside their 22 went over the head of the winger. Petrie was first to react and he hacked on and dived on the ball for an opportunistic score. The conversion was wide. As the game entered the final 10 minutes Dunfermline hit back. They drove a lineout before the ball was moved wide and their centre was able to step inside the defender to score. Once again the conversion was wide to leave the Stags with a 1 point lead. The closing minutes saw the visitors back on the attack. They ran a kickable penalty and initially the Grangemouth defence held firm. However the ball was recycled and moved wide where a long, possibly forward, pass was collected by the winger to slide in at the corner for an unconverted score. The drama wasn't over as the Stags secured the ball from the kick off and drove into the Dunfermline 22. They won a couple of penalties but were unable to drive the visitors over the line and a final handling error by the home side ended the game. FT Stags 11 Dunfermline 15

After the game Grangemouth were left scratching their heads wondering how they had let this one slip through their fingers while Dunfermline celebrated a smash and grab victory. The Stags will look at the fine margins which cost them victory especially failing to convert all their first half pressure into points. They were also guilty of too many handling errors throughout the match. Next week the sides have the chance to do it all again as the Stags travel to Dunfermline for the semi final tie in the Caledonia Shield with KO at McKane Park 1.30pm