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News Article |
| MORAY 81 ABERDEEN GRAMMAR 2NDS 14 |
| Thu 27th Jan 2022 |
 For a second week on the trot, Moray played Aberdeen Grammar 2nds, this time at home. A dominant display by the Elgin side saw them run out resounding victory by 81 points to 14 in their penultimate game of the 2021/22 Tennent’s Caledonia North Region Division 2 season.
With the memory of last week’s encounter still fresh in their minds, the Moray side started the game with fire in their bellies and with a point to prove. With only 4 minutes on the clock, they put their first points on the board. A passage of strong running and passing play culminated in the ball being moved wide to Rory Millar who made the corner for an unconverted try and 5-0 lead.
 Six minutes later they progressed to an attacking line-out on the 5-metre line. Clean ball was taken and driven round the side. A couple of driving phases later, Chris Robottom broke the line and scored an unconverted try for 10-0.
In the 14th minute, the home side progressed to a scrum inside the Grammar 22. A powerful scrum sent the opposition backwards allowing Calum Smith to pick up and burst over the line. Millar added the conversion for 17-0.
 Three minutes later, they secured the bonus point when Fergus Nicol scored after more good running and handling play and a break by Smith. Millar added the extras for 24-0.
Moray were totally dominating the game and from the restart a surging run by Smith, and then Nicol, saw an offload to Millar who made the line for his second, an unconverted try and 29-0.
 In the 32nd minute, the visitor’s side had a scrum in their 22. The Elgin side were strong in the scrum and drove them backwards. Neil Alexander picked up the loose ball and broke for the line before offloading to Cameron Hughes who in turn slipped the ball to Calum Archibald who outstripped the defence and scored under the posts. Millar added the 2 conversion points for 36-0, which became the half-time score.
From the restart Moray pushed the Aberdeen side back into their 22 and to an attacking touch, 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken and driven and this time Smith burst the line to score his second try. The conversion was pushed wide leaving the score at 41-0.
 In the 47th minute and on a rare breach into the Moray 22, Grammar scored a converted try following a drive from an attacking line-out on the 5-metre line. They were on the board at 41-7.
Two minutes later, the visiting wing tried to run from his 22 but was snagged and the ball dislodged. Smith was quickest to react, picked up the ball and made the line for his third of the afternoon. Millar added the conversion for 48-7.
 In the 53rd minute, Nicol charged down a kick just in side the Aberdeen side’s half. The ball was regained and moved wide to Hughes who cut back inside and sprinted to the line for another converted try and 55-7.
Two minutes later, it was 60-7 when Millar intercepted on the half way line and had the pace to outstrip the defence to score an unconverted try, his third of the afternoon.
It was all one way and in the 60th minute, Smith scored his fourth from a typical rampaging run in the Grammar 22. Millar added the extras for 67-7.
 Another strong scrum in the 67th minute, on the opposition 10 metre line, allowed Archibald to pick up and make a break before being tackled 5 metres out, losing the ball forward. From the resulting scrum, the home side again drove their opponents off the ball allowing Smith to pick up and score his 5th. Millar added the conversion for 74-7.
With three minutes to play, Connor McWilliam intercepted a pass around the visitor’s 10-metre line and ran in under the posts for a converted try and 81-7.
In the last play of the game, Grammar progressed to a scrum in the home 22. This time they managed to secure the scrum and following several phases of driving play, they made the line for a converted try and a final score of Moray 81 Grammar 2nds 14.
 It had been a comprehensive victory for the Moray side who had dominated every facet of play. Right from the opening whistle, they had shown great determination and power and the Grammar side did not have answer. Thirteen tries were scored and mention should go to Calum Smith for his 5, to Rory Millar for his hattrick and to Calum Archibald who had his best game for the club yet and deserved his ‘Man of the Match’ accolade. It was a squad effort however and everyone played their part in a great result, one which the substantial support very much enjoyed.
The Moray side now only have one game left in the league which is away to Banff in a couple of weeks’ time.
(More images from this match can be found in the Gallery
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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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