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News Article |
| MORAY 43 ABERDEEN UNI MEDICS 12 |
| Thu 8th Nov 2012 |
 Moray returned to winning ways last Saturday when they comprehensively defeated Aberdeen Uni Medics by 43 points to 12 in their latest RBS Caledonia League 2 North fixture.
With only three minutes on the clock, the Elgin side took the lead when they capitalised after turning ball over in the visitors 22. The ball was moved quickly along the back line and wing Calum Watson received the ball, in space, and made the line out wide. Full back Andrew McBean pulled the conversion attempt wide, leaving the score 5-0.
From the restart, the home side did not claim the ball allowing the Medics to regain possession. The ball was moved to the backs and the inside centre found a big hole in the defence to score a converted try to take the lead at 5-7.
 This spurred Moray into action and in the 10th minute they moved back into the lead. A good break, with both forwards and backs combining, took play into the 22 and to a ruck. A few phases later, second row Connor
Cameron took the pass from a ruck and barged his way over the line. McBean landed the two conversion points for 12-7.
Two minutes later, McBean added a penalty, given for offside, to extend the lead to 15-7.
A lot of running rugby was being played by both sides and for the next 20 minutes defences held strong.
 In the 32nd minute, however, the Elgin side extended the lead. A break by wing forward Marc Higgins up the left side of the park took them deep into the 22. The ball was quickly moved away from the break down and inside centre Phil Abbott came at pace, broke the defensive line and scored under the posts. McBean added the conversion for 22-7 which became the half time score.
After only 2 minutes of the 2nd half, Moray scored their fourth and the bonus point try. Again some good driving and popping play took them into the 22. A couple of phases later Higgins took the ball at pace, broke the line and scored. McBean converted for 29-7.
The home side were now well in control of this game but mindful that the young Medics side could and would run all afternoon.
Moray continued to run the ball at every opportunity and their enterprise paid off again with another try following a break where both backs and forwards were involved. The play came to a halt 15 metres from the line and a scrum given to the attacking team. No 8 Ross Joy picked the ball up at the back of the scrum, broke blind and set ruck. The ball was moved quickly and Cameron was on hand to breach the defence and score his second try of the match. McBean added the kick for 36-7.
 The Medics were still up for it and put some pressure on the home defence. In the 66th minute, they scored an unconverted try out wide after a handling move by their backs created space for the wing. This reduced the lead to 36-12.
Moray had the last word and in the 76th minute scored the final points of the afternoon.
With play close to the goal line, Captain Johnny Haslampicked up the ball from the base of a ruck, drove over the line and with a final twist, touched the ball down. The referee was on the blind side however and a disappointed Haslam didn’t get the score. Ball from the resultant scrum was driven back to a ruck on the goal line. Higgins picked up from the base and drove and scored his second try. McBean landed the conversion for 43-12, the final score.
 It had been a very good all round performance by the Moray team who were very much up for it and wanted to win badly after a number of disappointing results. Much of the success of the afternoon was down to strong, direct running by both forwards and backs. This kept the Medics on the back foot and was the platform from which most of the tries were scored.
The back row were immense in the loose and it was also good to see Phil Abbott and Craig Forster back.
This Saturday, Moray make the journey to Aberdeen and play Grampian Police in the 1st round of the RBS North Regional Bowl. Kick off is scheduled for 1.30pm.
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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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