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News Article |
| MORAY 52 ABERDEENSHIRE 2NDS 34 |
| Tue 20th Mar 2012 |
 Moray’s hard fought victory by 52 points to 34 over Aberdeenshire 2nds last Saturday, saw them secure the points required to see them crowned as RBS Caledonia Regional League Division 2 North champions.
The Aberdeen side took an early 0-3 lead when they kicked a penalty after the home side was caught offside at a ruck in their 22.
In the 4th minute, however, Moray opened their account. A good break, initially by Captain and wing-forward Marc Higgins and then stand-off Chris Clarke, took play to a ruck in the 22. Quick ball was moved wide and wing Ryan Anderson received the final pass to run in the try.
 Fullback Andrew McBean landed the conversion for a 7-3 lead.
The lead was short lived as from the re start, the ball was turned over, moved wide and a converted try scored out wide by the left wing for a 7-10 score line.
Five minutes later, the Elgin side regained the advantage. A penalty was given in the visitor’s 22 and scrum-half Aled Herbert took a quick tap and made the line for the score.
McBean added the conversion points for 14-10.
 In the 20th minute, Aberdeenshire scored a similar unconverted try for 14-15 after a quick tap penalty by the scrum-half in the 22.
The pattern of the lead changing continued when 2 minutes later McBean landed a penalty for 17-15 after the visitor’s were caught offside, 30 metres out.
With 28th minutes gone, the Aberdeen side produced a flowing back move which was rounded off when the outside centre outpaced the Moray defence to score an unconverted try in the corner and regain the lead at 17-20.
Shire extended the lead, four minutes later, when they scored a fourth bonus point try after a mix up in the home defence. They failed to add the 2 conversion points leaving the score 17-27.
The visitors had the upper hand at this point in the game and had the bulk of the play.
 In the 35th minute, Moray forced their way into the opposition 22 and were handed a penalty for hands in the ruck. McBean stepped up and coolly landed the kick to reduce the leeway to 20-27, the half time score.
During the break, Captain Higgins was very vocal and stressed the need for his players to up their game if they were to realise their ambition of winning the league.
His inspiring words did the trick and from the start of the 2nd half, they took the game by the horns and put the visitors under pressure.
In the 42nd minute, the lead was reduced to 23-27 when McBean added a third penalty after a high tackle in the 22.
5 minutes later, the Elgin side were back in the lead. A penalty was awarded when Shire went over the top at a scrum, 25 metres out.
 Clarke prodded the ball to touch, 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken at the line and a maul set. A determined drive took the ball over the line and No 8 Stuart Harrington dotted the ball down for the try.
McBean pushed the conversion attempt narrowly wide leaving the score 28-27.
In the 53rd minute Moray added their fourth and bonus point try when outside centre Declan Fives rounded off a handling move after ball was snapped up following a mistake by the visitors in midfield. McBean landed the kick for 35-27.
 The Elgin side were now in control and 4 minutes later, they extended their lead. With two of the three available Aberdeenshire props injured on the touchline, scrums became uncontested. Following a scrum in the opposition 22, Higgins was quickly up to charge down the clearance attempt and when the ricochet took the ball over goal line, he was there to dive on the ball for the score.
McBean landed the conversion points extending the lead to 42-27.
 2 minutes later, they were back in the 22 and were awarded a scrum five metres from the line. A simple backs handling move saw inside centre Alex Stronach take the ball at a good angle, go through the gap and score under the posts. McBean added the conversion for 49-27.
In the 65th minute, the home side were awarded a penalty in the 22 and in front of the posts when the ball was held on the deck. McBean landed the kick for 52-27.
In the final play of the game, the Aberdeen side scored a fifth and converted try to leave the final score Moray 52 Aberdeenshire 34.
There was great elation at the full time whistle as the Moray side had gained the win required to secure the league title.
A young Aberdeenshire side had set out to spoil the party and in the first half had been the better side.
 Following Captain Higgins rant at half time, the Elgin team had come out fired up in the second half, dominated and scored 32 consecutive points before a late consolation try by the visitors.
The spirit and determination of the players was commendable in turning the game as it has been all season and they thoroughly deserved being presented the trophy at the side of the pitch immediately following the game.
Well done Moray!
This Saturday, Moray are on Brin Cup business away at Inverness Craig Dunain.
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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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