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News Article |
| MORAY U18 V ABERDEEN GRAMMAR – CALLY BOWL FINAL 28/4/13 |
| Mon 29th Apr 2013 |
 Moray u18’s finished off their season in style with an emphatic 34-5 win over Aberdeen Grammar at the Cally Finals in Inverness on Sunday
The match proved to be a tough encounter for both teams with the weather (all 4 seasons of it !) dictating the tactics for the day.
Moray played into a biting gale in the first half and after initially trying to move the ball and play expansive rugby they resorted to more effective use of driving rucks and mauls to work the ball upfield.
Moray’s front five of Ward, Haufe, Logan, Watters and Robertson provided a strong base in the scrum and the lineout was functioning well despite the windy conditions.
 After 20 minutes Moray began to put Grammar under sustained pressure in their 22 and from a lineout 15m out a drive by flanker Lewis Scott was held up on the try line. Joe Vickery at no 8 picked up from the base of the resulting scrum drawing the defence before offloading to Duncan Steven who crashed over to open the score.
The game remained tight until half time but Moray had played the conditions well and turned round after half time with the wind and rain at their backs.
It only took them 3 minutes to stretch their lead with some slick hands and offloading allowing Josh Grundie to cross the try line and make it 10-0. Lewis McDonald converted a difficult kick to increase the lead to 12-0
From the restart Moray spread the ball wide and winger McDonald ran the ball back at Grammar before being tackled into touch on the 22.
Moray were now controlling the game through their forwards and denying Grammar any possession or territory.
 Scrum half Smith chipped over the defence to force their no 15 to touch down in goal and Moray continued to apply pressure from the resultant 5 m scrum winning a penalty. Quick ball was moved to Kieran Rodgers who crashed over beside the posts and extend the lead after 15 minutes.
Grammar were not going to lie down and from the restart worked their way into the Moray 22 using a driving maul. Moray were penalised for collapsing and a quick tap penalty was driven over to make it 17-5 to Moray after 20 minutes of the second half.
 Moray’s full back Kieran Young was asking questions of Grammar by running any clearance kicks back and second row Jordan Watters also made a couple of surging drives through the midfield, to open up the defence.
In loose play the back row of Scott, Morrison and Vickery plus Alex Dale who came on as sub were dominant frequently putting in thumping tackles and turning over ball in rucks.
On 25 minutes Watters crashed over beside the posts after several phases of play on the 5 m line. McDonald converted to make it 24-5.
Moray now had the bit between their teeth and for the last 10 minutes ran the ball at every opportunity.
Scrum half Smith popped another chip over the defence from the base of a ruck, into the corner and winger McDonald followed up to extend the lead to 29-5.
 Moray finished the afternoons work by gathering the restart before Valentine at 10 kicked clear to the Grammar 22. Quick following up by the Moray pack allowed the ball to be won and it was moved to substitute winger David Smith who went over in the corner with his first touch to make the final score 34-5 to Moray
This was another clinical display by the u18 team to give them some well deserved silverware to finish the 15 aside season. The full squad of 22 players all contributed to the result. The Moray team adapted to the conditions better than their opponents and employed the right tactics on the day to dominate the match for long periods.
The team now goes down to Glasgow on Saturday to play at the Emirates 7’s for what should be a fantastic day to end to the season.
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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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