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News Article |
| MORAY 46 STORNOWAY 5 |
| Mon 29th Aug 2016 |
 Moray comprehensively defeated Stornoway by 46 points to 5 in their first BT Caledonia League Division 2 North (West) match of the 2016-17 season.
The Islanders kicked off at Morriston, playing downhill, and the early exchanges were keenly contested but there were indications in the first couple of scrums that the home team were going to dominate that facet of play.
In the 10th minute, the Elgin side took the lead. From broken play, a ruck was set up in mid-field. The ball was moved quickly through hands to Captain John Westmacott who breached into the 22 and offloaded to supporting full-back Lewis Small to finish off the move by touching down under the posts. Wing Connor McWilliam landed the conversion points for a 7-0 lead.
 Three minutes later, Moray won ball in the visitor's half. The ball was moved right through hands to McWilliam and he broke into the 22 and set up a ruck. Quick ball reached No 8 Chris Robottom and he had the strength to barge his way over the line. McWilliam converted for a 14-0 lead.
The home side were dominant and pressed hard for a third score. In the 39th minute, stand-off Frankie Du Toit intercepted a Stornoway move in the middle of the park and had the pace and strength to make the line, out wide, for an unconverted try and 19-0.
 Two minutes before half time, the Elgin side added their fourth and the bonus point try. A penalty was awarded on the 22 for a deliberate knock on by the islanders centre and the ball was prodded to touch 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken at the line and a drive set up. This was halted just short of the line but prop Marco Taylor broke round the side of the maul and scored an unconverted try for a 24-0 half time lead.
Moray started the second half lively and the first 15 minutes were spent camped in the opposition 22 but spirited defence kept them out.
In the 57th minute, Small was handed a yellow card and almost immediately Stornoway pulled a score back when their centre went over for an unconverted try, reducing the lead to 24-5.
 Five minutes later, however, the home side found themselves back in the opposition 22 and an attacking scrum 5. Replacement back row Steven Clark picked up and drove for the line, offloading to fellow backrower Marc Higgins who barged over the line for an unconverted try and a 29-5 lead.
From the restart, Moray ran the ball back at their opponents and continuity play took them into the 22 with the visitors having to hurriedly clear the ball into touch, 5 metres from their line. Clean ball was taken at the line and Higgins drove for the line but was stopped a metre out. He set up and prop Nathan Gilmore picked and drove over for an unconverted try and 34-5.
 In the 70th minute, the lead was stretch to 39-5 when centre Harvey A'j Freeman scored out wide after a good break by replacement wing Kieran Herrington.
Two minutes from time, the Elgin side scored their final try of the afternoon. Stornoway were awarded a scrum, 15 metres from their line, but the strong home scrum took ball against the head. Clark picked up and broke for the line with only the right wing in his path but his brave tackle attempt could not stop the back row man scoring. Herrington added the conversion points for a final score of Moray 46 Stornoway 5.
 It had been a good afternoon for the Moray side. In particular, they were very strong in the scrum and behind the scrum they threatened every time they had ball in hand. Stornoway manfully defended and were still in the game after 60 minutes. Fitness, power and speed told in the end and the home side finished strongly.
This Saturday, Moray are again at home on league business when they play Lochaber. 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 |
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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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