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News Article |
| MORAY 98 INVERNESS CRAIG DUNAIN 12 |
| Wed 29th Sep 2010 |
Moray comprehensively defeated Inverness Craig Dunain by 98 points to 12 in last Saturday’s Caledonia Division 2 (North West) league fixture at Morriston.
Within 4 minutes of the start, they had taken the lead. New Zealand bound scrum-half Jamie Hickie picked the ball up at the base of a scrum 10 metres out and broke blind to score out wide. Full-back Dale Smith pulled the conversion attempt leaving the score 5-0.
Four minutes later, centre Struan Henderson scored under the posts after being put into the gap by stand-off Craig Forster. This time Dale Smith converted for 12-0.
Wing-forward Neil Wiseman, on his return to the team, scored the third in the 15th minute when he front pealed a line-out 10 metres out to score. The conversion was added to take the score to 19-0.
Craig Dunain’s first foray into the home half was rewarded with a penalty 30 metres out. This was slotted for 19-3 but within minutes Forster had added the fourth bonus point but unconverted try after a mazy run split the visitor’s defence.
In the 25th minute, the Inverness side added three more penalty points for 26-6 and minutes later the home side suffered a blow when the influential Forster limped from the field with a calf strain.
Struan Henderson moved to the No 10 berth and within 3 minutes was instrumental in the build up to No 8 Greg Smith’s first try. The back rows strong running broke the defence and he scored out wide. Dale Smith pushed the conversion attempt to leave the score 31-6.
The visitors landed a third penalty after an infringement in the 22 but it was Moray who scored the final points of the half. A charge down took the play into the opposition half and the loose ball was secured. Swift hands took the ball to replacement centre Andrew McBean and he grubbered the ball toward the try line. The kick was perfectly weighted and wing Ewan Simpson outpaced the defence and dived on the ball for the score. The conversion attempt narrowly missed to leave the half time score Moray 36 Inverness Craig Dunain 9.
The home side immediately stepped up the pace of the game at the beginning of the second half and within 10 minutes had added four further tries.
Struan Henderson scored the first when he spotted a gap in the defence and ghosted through to score under the posts. Dale Smith converted for 43-9.
The second was set up by good continuity play in midfield and a barging run by prop Jason Ogg. In the tackle, he offloaded to replacement wing Mike Ray who scored an unconverted try for 48-9.
Struan Henderson scored the third, and his own hat trick try. Ball was again won in midfield and an attack started down the blind side. The home No 10 took a pass at pace and outstripped the defence to score under the posts. Dale Smith added the conversion points for 55-9.
Replacement centre Ross Joy scored the fourth, an unconverted try, when he took crash ball after some good rucking phases of play.
The home side were dominant but credit must go to the Inverness side as the heads did not go down and they continued to give their all. In the 53rd minute they added their fourth penalty to take the score to 60-12.
The physical effort they were putting in was taking its toll and they began to tire. Moray continued to play a strong running game, looking to keep the ball alive in the tackle and in the last 25 minutes of the game added 6 further tries.
In the 56th minute, strong running down the right was halted and a ruck was set. The ball was moved left and Jason Ogg charged down the middle of the park and again set up good ruck ball. Again the ball was moved left and Dale Smith came into the line to score an unconverted try out wide for 65-12.
A couple of minutes later, Jason Ogg himself got on the score sheet when he followed up a quick tap penalty and was on hand to force his way over the line. Dale Smith converted for 72-12.
In the 65th minute, Greg Smith finished off a move that started in his own 22 and 4 minutes later prop Lewis Higgins barged his way over the try line to take the score to 86-12.
With 6 minutes to go, replacement Andrew Macallum scored an unconverted try after a strong run down the wing to take the score to 91-12.
Moray scored their final try in the 76th minute when Greg Smith scored his third try of the afternoon. The try was set up after Jason Ogg offloaded 5 metres out after another storming run. Andrew McBean converted to leave the final score Moray 98 Inverness Craig Dunain 12.
It had been a good afternoon for the Elgin side and they had scored 16 tries. The forwards were dominant in the tight play all afternoon and strong running had punched numerous holes in the defence. Behind the scrum, the backs were lively and were orchestrated well, initially Craig Forster and then Struan Henderson.
In the clubhouse, Craig Dunain nominated Jason Ogg as ‘man of the Match’ as he had caused them real problems with his numerous storming runs and the match sponsors, www.sas ( a group of rugby enthusiasts from Ross High Rugby Club), named Craig Forster as ‘Man of the Match’. Special mention goes to the two hat trick baggers – Greg Smith and Struan Henderson.
This Saturday Moray make the long road and sea trip to Stornoway on league business.
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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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