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News Article |
| MACKIE ACADEMY FP 38 MORAY 1ST XV 10
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| Thu 8th Nov 2018 |
 Moray travelled to Stonehaven for their latest league fixture in Tennent’s Caledonia North 2 and lost out by 38 points to 10 after a hard-fought encounter against Mackie Academy FP.
Showing several changes from last week, it soon became apparent that they would have their work cut out against a well organised and motivated Mackie outfit.
With five minutes on the clock, playing uphill and with a tricky wind to contend with, the visitors faced a dangerous break from a scrum in midfield. This was initially snuffed out but following an ensuing lineout, the home side shipped through hands and the full back ran in at the corner for an unconverted try and 5-0.
 In the 12th minute, Mackie used the wind and slope well to gain ground putting pressure on the visitor’s defence and leading to a penalty, 25 metres out.
Following a quick tap and quick hands, their centre straightened and cut through to score under the posts for 12-0.
Mid-way through the half, ball from a missed clearance kick was gathered by Mackie, run straight back and the stand-off picked a good line to cut through to score the third under the posts for a 19-0 lead.
 The next ten minutes or so saw the Moray pack start to exert some pressure of their own.
A scrum against the head and drive into home territory produced a penalty but unfortunately, the touch kick dropped agonisingly over the dead ball line and the opportunity was lost.
The Stonehaven’s sides directness and speed in the backs continued and in the 35th minute, they scored the bonus point try.
 Moray had put some good phases together but a fumbled ball in midfield was swooped on and the inside centre burst through for his 2nd converted try and 26-0.
From the restart, the Elgin side went on the charge themselves and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. The ball was run but lost in contact close to the line. The clearance kick, however, found full-back Lachlan Jones who burst through an attempted tackle and raced away to score. Stand-off Rory Millar could not add the conversion points leaving the score at 26-5.
Moray were energised by this score and with half time looming went straight back into attack.
 A couple of penalties were conceded and this took them to a good field position. With sustained forward pressure, they managed to drive back-row Neil Wiseman over the try line at the corner for an unconverted try and a half-time score of 26-10.
With conditions in their favour, the visitors started the second half brightly but it was the Stonehaven side that stretched the lead.
A short kick through was gathered by the home side on their own 10-metre line and an attack started up the blind side. The quickness of the attack caught the defence in disarray and a converted try was scored to take the lead to 33-10.
 Moray tried hard but could not make use of the conditions now in their favour and Mackie were intent in running at every opportunity.
The home side did have opportunities to go further ahead but handling errors cost them whilst in good positions.
 In the 63rd minute, however, they did stretch the lead. A penalty was conceded, five metres from the line, and the home wing quickly took a tap and scampered in at the corner for an unconverted try and 38-10.
The Moray heads never went down and to their credit they ended the game the stronger. A period of sustained pressure in the 22 was only thwarted by stout home defence.
 Final score Mackie 38 Moray 10.
Mackie had thoroughly deserved their victory having adapted to the blustery conditions better than their opponents and having played some quick running rugby.
This Saturday, Moray 1st XV are at home and play Alloa in the Caledonia Regional Shield. Please check the Moray Website or Facebook Page for time of kick-off.
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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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