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News Article |
| HIGHLAND REDS 17 MORAY 12 |
| Tue 18th Sep 2012 |
 A young Moray side were narrowly beaten by Highland Reds last Saturday, in their latest RBS Caledonia Regional Division 2 North league fixture.
The Elgin side kicked off, playing into a very strong wind and for the first 15 minutes were put under pressure by the home team.
In this period, the Reds stand-off had two opportunities to take the lead but failed with both in the blustery conditions.
In the 13th minute, however, Moray made good progress into the opposition half and a penalty took them to the 22 metre line.
Clean ball was taken and the ball spun to stand-off Adam Harrison who drew two men, then slipped the ball to his inside centre Tony McLoughlin, who made the line.
Full-back Andrew McBean landed the conversion for a 0-7 lead.
Five minutes later, they extended the lead. A series of driving plays by the forwards took play to a ruck on the Highland 22.
The ball was quickly moved to Harrison who dummied the pass and then put McBean into a gap to score out wide. He narrowly missed converting his own try leaving the score 0-12.
 The home side missed a further two long range penalty efforts before they got themselves back in the game with a converted try.
A penalty took them to the Moray 22. Ball was taken and driven to a ruck. The Inverness side Fijian No 8 picked the ball up and a powerful run took him through the defence and to the line, reducing the leeway to 7-12.
Both sides had opportunities in the final 10 minutes of the half but no further points were added leaving the half time score Highland Reds 7 Moray 12.
The Reds made a number of changes at half time, adding some bulk to the forwards and freshening up the backs.
The changes made an immediate difference and in the first phases of the second half, the home side forced their way to a scrum five metres out, to which they had the put in.
The ball was cleanly heeled, picked up at No 8 and slipped to the Fijian forward, now playing at wing-forward. He had just enough room to make the line for an unconverted try and to level the score at 12-12.
Four minutes later, the home side took the lead. Some hard yards were made by the forwards into the opposition half before the ball was spun wide to the Fijian right-wing who had enough room to round his opposite number and make the line.
The wind dragged the conversion attempt wide leaving the score 17-12.
Moray rallied and forced a penalty 35 metre out. McBean’s attempt scraped past the post in the windy conditions.
The next quarter of the match was played between 22’s with defences getting the upper hand.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, the Elgin side did all the pressing, attempting to get the points to sneak the win.
In the 72nd minute, McBean had another opportunity to reduce the leeway but again the wind had a big effect and he did not manage to land the penalty kick.
With only seconds to go and in the last play of the game, they found themselves close to the goal line. They drove for the line a couple of times in the forwards before giving the backs an opportunity and they too were repelled and held up by the defence.
The opportunity was gone and the final whistle went with the score Highland Reds 17 Moray 12.
It had been a very good contest in very blustery and difficult handling conditions.
The young Moray side did exceptionally well in the first half against the wind and scored two good tries.
The Highland changes at half time made a difference and they scored two tries before the Elgin side adjusted.
There was disappointment on the faces of the team as they left the field when they did not come away with the win after rallying and coming so close in the final play..
This Saturday, Moray are at home and play undefeated Lochaber in the league. Kickoff is 3pm.
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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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