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News Article |
| LOCHABER 5 MORAY 22 |
| Tue 27th Jan 2015 |
Moray made the long trip to Fort William last Saturday and the return journey was made more enjoyable when they eventually beat Lochaber by 22 points to 5 in a hard fought BT Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture.
The home side kicked off but it was Moray who took the early initiative early and were unfortunate not to put the first points on the board when scrum half, Aled Herbert, lost the ball in a tackle when trying to touch down over the line.
In the 14th minute and against the run of play, Lochaber took the lead. Although the visitors took clean ball at a line-out in the attacking 22, the Fort William's side No 8 intercepted the ball and a flowing move took them to the opposite 22. Moray infringed at the ruck and a penalty was given and prodded to touch, 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken and after a couple of drives, the forwards made the line for an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.
Both sides were intent on running the ball at every opportunity but defences held firm and on occasions, unforced errors halted progress.
Lochaber had the opportunity to add to their lead in the 28th minute but the 30 metre goal kick was pulled wide. Similarly, the visitors had the chance to get on the board, three minutes from half time, but full-back Andrew McBean's penalty kick from the touchline also missed leaving the half time score at Lochaber 5 Moray 0.
Moray kicked off the second half and again tried to apply early pressure. In the 47th minute, Man of the Match Herbert snapped up loose ball and took the ball into the home 22. This started a period of real pressure on the goal line which, after a few drives by the forwards, saw the ball moved to centre Marc Higgins who broke the defensive line and scored. McBean added the conversion points for a 5-7 lead.
The visitors continued to take the game to Lochaber and in the 65th minute added to their lead when McBean added a penalty for 5-10 after an over the top infringement.
The Elgin side were imposing themselves on the game and slowly taking control with the scrummage being particularly strong and causing real problems for the home team.
Seven minutes later, after another period of sustained pressure in the 22, Moray added a second try. A strong hand off by wing-forward Harvey Aj Freeman created the space for him to breach the defence and score under the posts. McBean converted to take the score to 5-17.
The visitors continued to press and in the 75th minute added a third try. A break by Connor Cameron and then his second-row partner, captain John Westmacott, was quickly moved through hands and wing Kieran Young finished the move off with a try at the corner. McBean could not land the conversion points leaving the score, the final score at Lochaber 5 Moray 22.
The first half had been a particularly competitive affair with each team intent on attack, however, the Moray side after the break grabbed the game by the horns and bossed giving little opportunity their opponents. The scrum was dominant all afternoon and a source of plenty good ball. After some adjustments by the coaches at half time, more driving thrusts through the middle of the park created more opportunities out wide and three tries were scored.
This Saturday, Moray are at home and face league leaders Aberdeenshire. The Shire side have been in great form all season but the Elgin side run them very close in Aberdeen earlier in the season and will be looking to go one better. Kick-off is 2pm.
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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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