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News Article |
| HIGHLAND U16 V MORAY U16 20-11-2011 |
| Mon 21st Nov 2011 |
 Moray u16’s met Highland in Inverness on Sunday and were in a determined mood after last week’s close defeat at Deeside and bounced back to record a comprehensive 31-10 victory.
From the kick off Moray took the game to Highland and the forwards rumbled up and into the home teams 22 with a series of breaks and offloads.
Highland were awarded a scrum and their no10’s clearance kick was well charged down by Matty Smith before he pounced on the loose ball to open the score. Ewan Stuart converted to make it 7-0 after 2 minutes.
Moray kept the pressure up on Highland and used a tap penalty to drive into the Highland 22. Quick ball released their backs and centre Josh Grundie powered over wide on the right to extend the lead to 12-0 after 10 minutes.
 Moray were gaining in confidence as the half progressed and were threatening from all areas of the pitch.
A well placed kick by standoff Duncan Steven opened up the Highland defence and quick following up by the Moray wings Hunte, Jefferies and full back Rodgers put pressure on the Highland full back but Moray were unable to use the opportunity to better effect.
Moray extended their lead on 27 minutes when another surge up the pitch with backs and forwards offloading and stretching the Highland defence created the space for centre Grundie to sprint clear and score near the posts. Stuart converted to make it 19-0.
Highland came into the game in the last 5 minutes of the half but the watertight Moray defence soaked up their attacks and kept them out until half time.
Highland started the second half with a lot more purpose and had a period of sustained pressure which resulted in a try in the corner after a series of rucks and forward drives into the Moray 22.
 Moray responded well and from the restart piled the pressure onto Highland and were unlucky not to score from a forward drive that was held up on the Highland line.
They were not to be denied though and from a ruck midfield in the Highland half scrum half Smith broke and waltzed through the Highland defence before scoring near the posts. Stuart converted to make is 26-5.
Highland replied by attacking and forcing a lineout on the edge of the Moray 22. They used the clean catch to release the ball to their backs and for the first time in the afternoon stretched the Moray defence to create space for their winger to go over in the corner.
Moray were just as keen to play their part in what was developing into a half off end to end rugby.
A loose ball on half way was fly hacked on by Lewis Scott and fancy footwork by him took the ball all the way to the Highland try line before a contentious knock on resulted in no try being awarded and Highland clearing their lines from the resultant scrum.
 The visitors redoubled their efforts and from a line out in the Highland 22 slick passing through backs released David Grigor on the wing who again was unlucky not score after being held up on the try line.
The resultant scrum on the 5 m line saw Moray flanker Trevor Jones pick up and drive over in the corner.
Ewan Stuart’s superb conversion from out wide came back of the post to leave the score at 31-10 with 5 minutes left.
 This was a superb performance from the entire Moray squad. The pack provided quality ball and were strong in the scrum, ruck and also used the offload to great effect. The backs were moving the ball quickly and supporting well in attack. The team also put in another resolute performance when they had to defend.
This sets up the boys for 3 home games in succession with Aberdeen Wanderers the first to come to Morriston next Sunday.
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Caledonia 2 North |
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| Aberdeenshire |
12 |
46 |
| Highland 2nd XV |
11 |
46 |
| Moray |
12 |
40 |
| Ross Sutherland |
10 |
22 |
| Banff |
12 |
19 |
| Mackie |
10 |
10 |
| Aberdeen Grammar 2nd XV |
9 |
1 |
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Last 1st XV Game |
| 1st XV Season (2021/22) |
| Banff 33 - 39 Moray |
| 5th Mar 22 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Duff House |
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