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News Article |
| MORAY 39 - 11 HIGHLAND REDS |
| Tue 3rd Nov 2009 |
Moray got the better of Highland Reds last Saturday when they beat them by 39 points to 11 in their latest Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonia Division 2 (NW) fixture.
The Inverness side kicked off, playing downhill, on a good afternoon for playing open rugby.
In the 7th minute, the visiting side took the lead when they landed a penalty after an ‘over the top’ decision in the home 22. Almost immediately, home fullback Jamie Hickie had the opportunity to level the score but the attempt just drifted past the post.
Within a couple of minutes, however, the score was level at 3-3 when Hickie landed a kick after an offside decision in the 22.
On the quarter of an hour mark, Moray took the lead. Left-wing Douglas Ireland collected the ball midfield and his run found a gap in the defence. He offloaded to centre Adam Harrison who in turn moved the ball to wing Ryan Anderson who made the line. Hickie pulled the conversion attempt leaving the score 8-3.
At this stage in the game, play was fairly balanced with both sides able to nullify any threat.
In the 34th minute, however, the home side extended the lead. A blind side move took the play to 20 metres from the line and a ruck was set. Scrum-half Aled Herbert quickly moved the ball to the backs and wing-forward Greg Smith came into the line at outside centre and broke the defence to score the try. Hickie converted for 15-3.
On the stroke of half time, the Reds reduced the leeway. The home side were penalised for offside and the resultant kick was slotted for a 15-6 half time score-line.
Moray kicked off the second half and within 10 minutes had added to their lead. A series of driving phases by both forwards and backs took the play into the opposition 22. Quick ball was produced and replacement second-row Ross Joy received the ball on the charge, broke through three tackles and scored. Hickie landed the conversion for 22-6.
Three minutes later, the home side scored their fourth and bonus point winning try. Ball was won midfield and Harrison made the break. On being halted, he offloaded to wing-forward Craig Forster who took the defence on and set up the ruck. Quick ball was moved to the wing and Anderson outstripped the defence to score his second try of the afternoon. Hickie’s conversion attempt fell just short, leaving the score 27-6.
In the 60th minute, centre Phil Abbott added a fifth. Highland were penalised for handling on the deck and scrum-half Johnny Morren quickly tapped and went. He offloaded to the supporting Forster who drove and very nearly made the line himself. Ball was set and moved, and the inside centre took the ball on the crash, broke the defence and scored. Hickie converted for 34-6.
Three minutes later, a handling move down the right side of the park was shipped to replacement wing Andrew McBean who was coming at pace. He was too quick for the defence to deal with and scored out wide. This was the young Moray player’s first senior try and he was justifiably delighted. Hickie’s conversion attempt came up short leaving the score 39-6.
The home side continued to take the game to the opposition but the Reds stuck in and defended well. In fact, it was the Inverness side that had the last word in the game. Having soaked up a lot of pressure and having been pinned in their own half for much of the second period, they scored the final try of the game. A kick into the home 22 was sliced and it looked like it would be dealt with and cleared. A mix up in defence, however, allowed the attacking side to regain the ball and move the ball through hands to score. They could not add the conversion leaving the final score Moray 39 Highland Reds 11.
It had been a good solid, all round performance by the home side. The first half had been a tight battle with the Elgin side making the best of their opportunities. After the break, however, they stepped up a gear and took control of the game. Scrummage and line-out worked well and both forwards and backs wanted to get involved in the loose and get their hands on the ball.
This Saturday, Moray are again at home and play Inverness Craig Dunain in the league. Kick off is 2pm.
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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 |
|
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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