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News Article |
| MORAY 1ST XV 31 ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL FP’S 2ND XV 21 |
| Tue 19th Sep 2017 |
 Moray 1st XV returned to winning ways with a solid 31 points to 21 win over Aberdeen Grammar 2nd XV at Morriston last Saturday in their latest BT Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture.
Moray started the game brightly and in the 4th minute took the lead. Several phases took play into the 22 and to a ruck. Quick ball was moved from the break-down and outside-centre Cameron Renton came into the line at pace to break the defence and score. Wing Andrew McBean added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The Elgin side continued to press and in the 13th minute increased the lead. Ball was turned over on the half-way line and scrum-half Jonny Haslam broke blind. Quick hands moved the ball wide to McBean who made the line in the corner for an unconverted try, stretching the lead to 12-0.
In the 21st minute, Grammar were pinged for offside, 22 metres out. McBean stepped up and landed the kick for a 15-0 lead.
 Seven minutes later and after a good passage of play, the lead was increased further. Loose-head prop Mark Taylor made a break from the halfway line and his storming run was finally halted 5 metres from the line. Phase after phase of driving play followed but it looked like the opportunity was over when a home attacker ran into a team member and a scrum was given. The home scrum took ball against the head though, No 8 Ross Joy picked up and broke and in contact slipped the ball to full-back Callum Wright who scored an unconverted try for 20-0.
After an even start in the tight, Moray were now bossing the scrum and in open play but didn't manage any further scores in the first half leaving the score at Moray 20 Aberdeen Grammar 0 at the break.
 The Aberdeen side started the second half brightly and within 3 minutes reduced the lead after a good handling move in the backs saw their centre score under the posts. The conversion was landed reducing the lead to 20-7.
Five minutes later, Moray scored their fourth and bonus point try of the afternoon. A scrum was won against the head on the halfway line and the ball moved to inside centre Alex Stronach on the crash ball. He broke the first line of defence and made the 22 before being tackled. He offloaded to supporting replacement centre Ben Roberts who in turn was stopped just short of the line. As he fell to the ground he managed to offload to back-row Harvey Freeman who barged his way over the line for an unconverted try and a 25-7 lead.
For the next 20 minutes or so both sides tried hard in attack but the defences had the upper hand a no points were added.
 In the 79th minute, however, Moray stretched the lead. Play progressed into the 22 and several phases of driving play took them within touching distance of the line. With the Aberdeen defence sucked in, the ball was quickly moved blind through two sets of hands to Wright to score in the corner, his second of the afternoon. McBean converted from near the touchline for a 32-7 lead.
Five minutes later, Grammar responded with a second unconverted score reducing the leeway to 32-14.
With four minutes left on the clock, the Elgin side leaked another converted try for 32-21 and this set up a very nervous final few minutes.
Moray stood firm through the final plays leaving the final score Moray 1st XV 31 Aberdeen Grammar 2nd XV 21.
 After a number of evenly balanced encounters in the scrum, the Elgin front 8 had dominated and delivered a good supply of ball for their backs. In open play the back-row caused real problems with ball in hand and in particular 'man of the match' Marc Higgins. Behind the scrum, the backs were always threatening in attack and took their opportunities well.
This Saturday, Moray 1st XV make the short journey to RAF Lossiemouth on league business and the first local derby of the year. The Elgin side will have gained confidence from the victory over Aberdeen Grammar but the RAF side have won both their fixtures in the league so far this season and a very competitive encounter is expected.
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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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