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News Article |
| MORAY 31 ROSS SUTHERLAND 19 |
| Wed 30th Aug 2017 |
 Moray 1st XV made a solid start to the 2017/18 BT Caledonia League Division 2 North season when they defeated Ross Sutherland by 31 points to 19 at Morriston last Saturday.
The home side started brightly and forced their way to an attacking scrum 5. From the first scrum, they showed their power, and looked like they would score a push over try. The control was not there, however, and the Invergordon defended this early onslaught well and were eventually handed a penalty when Moray went over the top at a ruck.
Ross came back well into the game but missed a good penalty kick opportunity in the 6th minute before taking the lead in the 19th. In the act of scoring, the referee adjudged that the Ross player had been 'chop' tackled by wing Aaron Gilmore. He awarded a penalty try for 0-7 lead and sent Gilmore to the bin for 10 minutes.
Four minutes later, however, the Elgin side got back in the game. Stand-off Frankie Du Toit received ball from a solid scrum and chipped the ball towards the touch line in the 22. Wing Keiran Young anticipated the kick and sped off after it, reaching it just before it made touch, expertly gathering it from his toes and then making the line in the corner for an unconverted try, reducing the lead to 5-7.
 In the 26th minute, Moray took the lead. The visiting stand-off looked to chip the oncoming defence but Du Toit got his hands to the ball and after handing off one defender, he outstripped the remainder of the defence to splash down in a puddle for an unconverted try and the lead at 10-7.
The home side were in control and causing the Invergordon side real problems, particularly in the scrum.
In the 31st minute, full back Callum Wright increased the lead to 13-7 when the Ross side were penalised for a high tackle, 15 metres out.
Four minutes later, Moray were again in the opposing 22 and No 8 John Stuart took the ball at pace, broke through the defence and scored under the posts. Wright added the conversion points for 20-7.
On the stroke of half-time, the Elgin side added a further penalty through Wright, when the visitor's handled in a ruck on the 22. This took the score to 23-7, the half-time score.
 Ross started the second half brightly and within 5 minutes had reduced the lead to 23-12 when they scored an unconverted try out wide after taking a quick penalty.
The Invergordon side were having a good spell but in the 54th minute, the home side forced their way into the opposition half and were awarded a penalty for offside, 25 metres out. Replacement centre Andrew McBean stepped up and landed the kick for a’ two converted try’ lead at 26-12.
Both sides tried hard to attack in the next quarter of the game but defences held firm.
With 5 minutes to go, however, Ross broke this deadlock when the left wing found enough room to get past his opposite man and score in the corner. A superb conversion kick from the touch line took them back within a score at 26-19.
They had it in mind to get back down into the Moray 22 as quickly as they could but it was the home side who forced the error from the restart and gained control of the ball.
 The Elgin side knew another score would give them a bonus point and went on to spend the final few minutes in the Ross 22. The defence was pulled in by the intensity of the attack at the line and eventually the ball was moved to Du Toit and with McBean free on the wing, the stand-off put in a measured kick to allow the ball to be collected and the try scored out wide.
McBean could not add the conversion points leaving the final score at Moray 31 Ross Sutherland 19.
It had been a good bonus point win for the home side with the forwards showing up well particularly in the scrum and the backs looking to attack at every opportunity.
This Saturday, Moray 1st XV are again on league business, away to Deeside in Banchory.
For full image gallery from this match click here.
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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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