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News Article |
| ABERDEEN WANDERERS 27 MORAY 14 |
| Wed 16th Sep 2015 |
 The 2015-16 BT Caledonia League Division 2 North season has commenced and last Saturday, Moray made the trip to Aberdeen where they lost by 27 points to 14 to a determined Aberdeen Wanderers side.
The afternoon did not start well for the Elgin side as their arrival by bus was delayed which left them with little warm up time. Secondly, with a number of players unavailable, they travelled with only 16 players. Lastly, conditions in Aberdeen were horrendous with heavy rainfall and a cross wind.
Wanderers kicked off, with the wind at their backs, and immediately took the game to the visitors. Good defence held them out but around the 10 minute mark, Moray had to bring on their only substitute as stand-off Francois Du Toit had to leave the field after suffering a concussion.
 In the 15th minute, the home side took the lead. A strong scrum in the opposition 22 won ball against the head and after a blind side break and a couple of offloads, the full-back scored the try. He converted his own try for a 7-0 lead.
The Aberdeen side continued to press to extend their lead but the Moray defence was resolute, well organised and kept them out.
On one of their rare excursions into the Wanderers half in the first period, they were awarded a penalty for
over the top at a ruck. Andrew McBean, who had moved to stand-off, was unlucky with his kick from out wide when the ball struck the upright and rebounded clear.
 In the final minute of the first half, the home side were handed a penalty for a deliberate knock on. The resultant kick split the uprights leaving the half time score Aberdeen Wanderers 10 Moray 0.
With only 5 minutes of the second half gone, the home side stretched their lead. An picked up, went blind and slipped the ball to his full-back to score an unconverted try out wide for 15-0.
The Elgin side were struggling a bit at this point and 4 minutes later, the Wanderers number 15 got his hat-trick try when he stepped inside, then outside the visitor's defence to score under the posts. He converted the try for a 22-0 lead.
Moray were not down and out, however, and they showed great character to get back into the game, win some ball and cause the home defence some problems.
 In the 55th minute, they reduced the leeway when after a period of pressure in the Aberdeen half, full-back Keiran Young took a quick tap at a penalty 40 metres out, breached the defence and scored out wide. McBean superbly added the conversion points for 22-7.
The Elgin side returned to the offensive but in the 60th minute, the home side scored a fourth and bonus point try when they broke from just inside their own half and their left wing scored an unconverted try out wide for
27-7.
Moray returned to the offensive and after good continuity between forwards and backs in the opposition 22, back-row Steven Clarke went over for the try. McBean added the conversion for 27-14.
The Elgin side tried hard in the last 10 minutes to reduce the lead further but with conditions worsening,
handling was extremely difficult.
The final whistle with the final score Aberdeen Wanderers 27 Moray 14.
 Wanderers had been worthy of their win with the forwards controlling the scrum and their full-back in excellent form.
The depleted Moray side were often down to 14 as the Physio patched up players at the side of the park but they put in a great shift in defence and their spirit was evident throughout on a miserable day of weather in Aberdeen.
This Saturday, Moray are at home on league business and welcome Kinloss Eagles for the first local derby of the season. Kick-off 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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