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News Article |
| MORAY 28 SHETLAND 17 |
| Tue 3rd Sep 2013 |
 Moray started the season well with a good 28-17 win against Shetland in a league and cup double header last Saturday. Having been drawn together in the first round of the RBS Regional Bowl as well as the first fixture of the RBS Caledonia League Division 2 North season, the teams agreed that the match at Morriston be winner take all.
The Islanders kicked off and within two minutes had the first opportunity as the home side were caught offside, 30 metres out. The penalty kick, however, was pushed wide of the posts.
 In the 10th minute, Moray took the lead. The visitors were caught over the top at a ruck 15 metres out and full-back Andrew McBean stepped up and slotted the penalty for a 3-0 lead.
Play for the next 10 minutes or so became mainly confined to midfield with defences coming out on top. In the 22nd minute, however, the Shetland side gave away another penalty for over the top, this time 35 metres out. McBean's kick just cleared the bar for a 6-0 lead.
Moray now started to take control of the game and more of the play was happening in the opposition half.
 In the 33rd minute, the Elgin side scored their first try of the afternoon. A scrum was taken against the head, 25 metres out, and a drive down the blind side taken to a ruck, 15 metres out. The ball was recycled quickly, driven and another ruck set. With the defence sucked in, the ball was quickly moved wide through hands to wing Sean Keenan, who made the line. McBean missed the difficult kick leaving the score at 11-0, and with no further points in the half became the half time score.
Shetland started the second half with great aggression and started to punch holes in the home defence through drives by their forwards. In the 42nd minute, they got themselves on the scoreboard when a driving move, following a line 10 metres out, saw them breach the defence for an unconverted try, reducing the leeway to 11-5.
 The Islanders continued their good driving play and six minutes later were rewarded with a second, very similar try. This time the conversion points were added and they took the lead at 11-12.
The home side needed to get themselves back in the game and steadily they did so.
In the 57th minute, Moray regained the lead when prop Lewis Higgins burrowed over the line after some good attacking and rucking play up the right flank. McBean added the conversion points for 18-12.
The home side now took control back and in the 22nd minute extended the lead. Play progressed to the 22 and towards the goal line. Shetland gave away a penalty for coming in from the side and scrum-half and captain Aled Herbert quickly tapped went blind before offloading to wing-forward Marc Higgins who barged over the line for the score. McBean's attempt just came up short, leaving the score at 23-12.
Eight minutes later, Moray put themselves well clear in scoring their fourth and bonus point winning try. A good handling move took play deep into the opposition half and to a ruck. Quick ball was moved wide and a missed pass to wing Calum Watson put him in space. He stepped inside the covering defence to score. McBean pulled his conversion attempt wide to leave the score, 28-12.
 Shetland tried hard to reply and in the last play of the game broke a tackle and scored an unconverted try leaving the final score Moray 28 Shetland 17.
It had been a hard and physical first game of the season. Defences generally remained solid but it was the enterprise of the Moray attack that won the day. The Elgin side had looked comfortable at half time but a strong start to the second half turned the game in Shetland favour. Great character was shown however to get back into the game and secure the win.
The Saturday, Moray are away on league business to play Ross Sutherland at Invergordon.
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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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