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News Article |
| HIGHLAND 2ND XV 22 MORAY 31 |
| Wed 2nd Nov 2016 |
A strong final quarter display saw Moray turn the game and come from behind to a 31-22 win at Highland 2nds last Saturday, in their latest Caledonia League Division 2 North (West) fixture.
The game started well for the Elgin side when, in their first attack, wing Keiran Young scored out wide after ball was moved quickly away from turned over ball in mid-field. Full-back Connor McWilliam just missed the conversion attempt leaving the early lead at 0-5.
In the 10th minute, however, and after a period of sustained pressure in the opposition half, the Highland scrum-half found a good angle and drifted through the defence to score a try, which he converted, for the lead at 7-5.
Both sides were taking the opportunity to run at any opportunity but it was not until the 25th minute that further points were added. Moray had been attacking in the home 22 but defence was turned into attack and after a number of phases, play moved to the opposite end of the field. After a number of drives at the line, the loose-head prop burst through the defence to score under the posts. The conversion points were added for a 14-5 lead.
From the restart, the Inverness wing was pressured and he spilled the ball which Young collected and he made the line for his second try out wide. This time McWilliam superbly landed the kick to reduce the lead to 14-12.
Highland had an opportunity to extend the lead in the 34th minute, when they were awarded a penalty for handling on the deck, but the stand-off pulled the relatively easy kick wide.
With no other opportunities in the first-half, the whistle went with home side in a narrow lead at 14-12.
A big second half was expected by the Moray side but it was the home side that added the first points. In the 52nd minute, play progressed to close to the 22 and when the ball reached the open-side wing forward, he saw a gap and went for it, breaking a couple of tackles and scoring an unconverted try for a 19-12 lead.
Highland had the bit between their teeth and continued to press. Three minutes later, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts when the visitors were pinged for not rolling away at a ruck. The kick was landed and the lead stretched to 22-12.
Moray had 25 minutes to turn the game around and immediately returned to the offensive. They upped their intensity and pressed hard in the opposition 22. The home side initially defended resolutely but fitness was telling and a couple of injuries was taking its toll.
In the 67th minute, play progressed to an attacking line on the 22. Clean ball was taken and replacement stand-off Calum Henderson chipped for the line. Full-back Ewan Stuart chased down the ball but knocked on in his attempt to gather the ball. The resultant scrum was taken against the head and No 8 John Stuart drove for the line and set up ball. Hooker Lewis Higgins picked up and broke the defensive line to score. McWilliam added the conversion points from out wide to reduce the lead to 22-19.
Moray continued to take the game to the home side who were leaking penalties trying to keep them at bay. On each occasion the boot of McWilliam put them back deep into their 22.
With 6 minutes left on the clock, the constant pressure saw the Elgin side take the lead for the first time since early in the first-half. An attacking line, 5 metres out, was taken cleanly and quickly moved wide through hands to Ewan Stuart who saw the gap, went for it and made the line. McWilliam calmly added the conversion points to the bonus point try for a 22-26 lead.
Three minutes later, the visitors added their final points of the afternoon. Highland were again pinged for infringing at a ruck and McWilliam again prodded the ball to an attacking line 5. Ball was taken but on this occasion an offside decision, and a scrum 5, was handed to the home side. The Moray scrum was now totally dominant and drove their counterparts off the ball. John Stuart picked up at the tail and drove over the line for the try out wide. McWilliam's conversion attempt bounced back off the bar leaving the score at 22-31.
In the last minute, Highland tried hard to get a final try for a bonus point but the visitors defence stood strong and the game ended with the final score Highland 2nds 22 Moray 31.
The Inverness side had competed well, were very organised and committed and had deserved their lead after 55 minutes. Moray, however, responded well and showed good fitness, great determination and real grit to turn the game around and maintain their lead at the top of the league.
This Saturday, Moray play their final game before the league splits, when they entertain RAF Lossiemouth at Morriston. This will be a real battle of the top two teams in the league and as the clocks have now changed, 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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