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News Article |
| MORAY U18 V HIGHLAND |
| Sat 2nd Feb 2013 |
Moray u18’s welcomed Highland to Moriston for a training match after a frustrating 8 weeks for both teams due to the weather making pitches unplayable. The visitors were always going to be a stiff test having just been crowned league champions and in the last 8 of the National cup.
However Moray were up for the challenge and were very unlucky to lose 29-24 with Highland snatching the win on the last play of the match.
Highland kicked off and enjoyed the early pressure taking the lead after 7 minutes to a try in the corner from a clever crossfield kick picked up by their winger which went unconverted. The Moray team continued to defend well as Highland maintained their control of the game but broke out from defence with a kick by stand – off Duncan Steven opening up the Highland midfield and good following up by centre Josh Grundie saw him break the Highland defence to score.
The visitors attacked again from the restart but Moray turned over possession on their own 5 m from a Highland line out and a kick by no 10 Steven opened up play and Grundie again was on hand to fly hack the ball deep into Highland territory before dribbling it over the line to put the Moray lads in front 10 -7.
Moray extended their lead after 27 min when an attempted clearance kick by Highland in their own 22 was charged down by winger McDonald who gathered the loose ball and sprinted clear to score under the posts. He converted to make it 17-7 to Moray.
Highland fought their way back into the match in the final 20 mins and scored out wide after moving the ball from a scrum in the Moray 22 through the backs to the wing who went over in the corner.
The Moray lads were not to be out done though and Josh Grundie completed his hat trick with a well worked try linking with McDonald to break the Highland defence and score under the posts. McDonald converted to make it 24-12.
Highland were not about to give up though and with 10 minutes left they charged down a clearance kick and then drove over from close range to make it 24-17.
Moray were not going to sit on their lead however and took the game straight back to Highland from the kick off and were only kept out by strong Highland defence. From a ruck deep in the Highland 22 they moved the ball along the back line when the opposing Highland centre rushed up and intercepted before sprinting clear and scoring under the posts for a converted try to make it 24 points all.
Moray picked themselves up again after this setback and continued to press Highland and with less than 2 minutes to play they won a penalty 30 m out. Scrum half Smith attempted to covert it and was desperately unlucky when it came back of the upright.
Highland picked up possession and worked their way up the park before breaking and their no 10 Carson went over in the corner in the dying seconds of the game to seal their win.
This was a pulsating game to watch and Moray played some of their best rugby of the season and deserved more than they got. Forwards Lewis Scott and Kris Morrison were dominant in loose play and the backs were quick to seize every opportunity that came their way. Next up are local rivals Gordonston in the Cally cup. If the team can play with this level of commitment and determination then it will be another close match.
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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 |
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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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