|
News Article |
| ROSS SUTHERLAND 26 MORAY 27 |
| Tue 13th Sep 2016 |
 After a very close and hard fought encounter in Invergordon last Saturday, Moray edged out Ross Sutherland by 27 points to 26 to maintain their unbeaten start to the BT Caledonia League Division 2 North (West) season.
The Elgin side started brightly and took the early lead in the 2nd minute. Play progressed to a defending scrum 5 in the home 22. An eight man drive won the ball against the head and progressed towards the line. No 8 Chris Robottom controlled the ball well at his feet, picked up and dived over for the score. Wing Kieran Herrington's conversion attempt came back of the post leaving the score 0-5.
This stung the Invergordon into action and the next 10 minutes was spent in the visitors 22. Strong scrummaging and solid tackling prevented points being put on the board.
The Moray side got back into the game and in the 20th minute, stretched their lead. From inside their own half, the ball was moved to Herrington on the left flank. His run took him deep into the home half and when he was halted, he set up a ruck. Two phases of play later, the ball reached centre Harvey Freeman who handed off two defenders and made the line, out wide, for an unconverted try and a 0-10 lead.
Ross returned to the offensive but the visitor's defence was strong and resolute. In the 23rd minute, second row CJ Maxtone was yellow carded for two consecutive offences.
 The home side continued to press for the duration of the binning but to no avail and it was the Elgin side who stretched their lead in the final minutes of the half. A scrum in mid-field was cleanly taken and moved through hands to Herrington with space on the wing. He took the opportunity to make ground and in contact, passed inside to the supporting full-back Lewis Small who had a clear run to the line. Herrington missed the relatively easy conversion attempt leaving the half time score at Ross Sutherland 0 Moray 15.
The Invergordon side got themselves back into the game after only 3 minutes of the second half. Ball from a line-out on the visitor's 10 metre line was moved wide and an opportunistic chip kick caught the Moray defence flat footed. The home centre was quick to follow up and narrowly made the touch down ahead of the defence. The conversion was added to reduce the leeway to 7-15.
Seven minutes later, they were back within a point. The visitors were penalised for handling in a ruck inside the 22. A quick tap was taken and with the defence not organised, they made the line for a converted try and 14-15.
 The Elgin side returned to the offensive and a quick tap penalty took them deep into the home 22 and to a penalty scrum after an offside decision. The scrum had been immense throughout the game and took clean ball but some scrappy play at the back of the scrum saw the chance disappear.
In the 50th minute, the visitors were handed a second yellow when wing-forward Marc Higgins was sin-binned for 10 minutes.
Within two minutes, Ross took the lead. A high tackle allowed a penalty kick to be pushed to a line, 5 metres out. Clean line-out ball was taken and driven with the No 8 scoring an unconverted try for a 19-15 lead.
In the 65th minute, Moray regained the lead, scoring their bonus point try. A period of pressure near the goal-line saw several drives made at the line. Each time they were knocked back and finally the ball was knocked on in the act of scoring. It looked like the opportunity had gone but the scrummage had something to say about that and blasted their opponents backwards allowing Ross Joy the chance to pick up and score an unconverted try for a slender lead at 19-20.
 The lead again changed hands in the 75th minute. The home side progressed to a line 18 metres out from the try line. Clean ball was taken and moved to two quick rucks in mid-field. The visitor's forwards had been pulled in and a converted try was scored close by the ruck. The Invergordon side were now in pole position at 26-20 with only minutes to go.
The restart kick was knocked on by a home hand giving the Elgin side the chance of a grandstand finish. Under pressure at the scrum, Ross gave away two quick penalties which took the visitors to a line, 15 metres out. Clean ball was taken, set and driven to another ruck, 5 metres out. Ball was moved quickly right to Higgins who had the strength to force his way over and score out wide. The conversion points were imperative and replacement wing Connor McWilliam stepped up and under immense pressure landed the kick from the touch-line for a slender lead at 26-27.
 Ross made a final bid to turn the game in their favour but knocked on, 15 metres from the line. It was the last play and the Elgin scrum, which had been strong all day, took clean ball and replacement scrum-half Callum Watson prodded the ball to touch to hear the final whistle.
Final score : Ross Sutherland 26 Moray 27.
A Ross v Moray match is always a keenly contested encounter and this was no different but with an exciting finale. Moray had the upper hand up front with a totally dominant scrummage and both sides put in good shifts in defence. Attacking intent was clearly shown by both sides but there can only be one 'man of the match' and that was given to McWilliam as his superb touchline 2 point conversion kick won the game for The Elgin side.
This Saturday Moray are away and play Huntly in a BT Caledonia Regional Bowl North tie.
|
| Back to News |
|
n
Caledonia 2 North |
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
