|
News Article |
| BANFF 33 MORAY 41 |
| Fri 11th Mar 2022 |
 Moray completed their Tennent’s Caledonia North Region Division 2 season when they defeated Banff by 41 points to 33 in a thoroughly entertaining game at Banff last Saturday.
The Elgin side kicked off on a great afternoon for running rugby and after a ten-minute period of each side testing each other out, they took the lead. After a period of pressure in the home half, some good driving play took them to a ruck 10 metres out. Scrum-half Calum Archibald broke blind, drew in two defenders and slipped the ball to stand-off Rory Millar to dot down in the corner for an unconverted try and a 0-5 lead.
 Four minutes later, they added a second when following a penalty on the half-way, Archibald took a quick penalty and made great ground before releasing the ball to centre Connor McWilliam to score another unconverted try in the corner for 0-10.
In the 21st minute, Banff replied with an unconverted try for 5-10, when they stole scrum ball in the Moray 22 and made the line.
 Ten minutes later, the away side stretched the lead. A good piece of back play took them to a penalty, 5 metres out. A tap was taken and after a couple of drives, second-row Cameron Morrison-Smith changed direction and drove over the line. Millar added the conversion for 5-17.
On the stroke of half-time, Moray added their bonus point try. Centre Cameron Hughes ran directly at the defence and in contact put prop Mark Taylor into the gap to make the line for a score of 5-22 at the break.
 Banff started the 2nd half with more intent and were first on the board when they scored a driving try from a penalty in the visitor’s 22. The try was converted reducing the lead to 12-22.
In the 53rd minute, Moray wing-forward Calum Caven intercepted the ball during a home backs move and had the pace to make the line at the posts. Millar added the extras for 12-29.
Six minutes later, the Banff side again reduced the lead, when they scored a second converted driving score through their forwards, reducing the lead to 19-29.
 Moray immediately returned to the offensive and forced a penalty in the 22. A quick tap was taken and following a couple of drives, the ball was moved wide to wing Ewan Simpson and he had the strength to make the line in the corner. A brilliant touchline conversion from Millar made it 19-36.
In the 66th minute, the Elgin side added a seventh. A mazy run by Archibald left defenders in his wake and a final pass saw wing Ben Taylor make the line for an unconverted try and 19-41.
 Banff made it an interesting finish when in the last two minutes, they added two final converted tries following a number of penalties in the visitor’s 22 for a final score of Banff 33 Moray 41.
It had been five weeks since their last league game but the Moray side wanted to finish the season on a high and played some good open rugby in this game. Although all other fixtures have not yet been completed in the league, they will finish in a very creditable 3rd position. The way the team have played rugby has been very positive and exciting to watch and we all look forward to next season’s league campaign.
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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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