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News Article |
| HIGHLAND 2NDS 29 MORAY 10 |
| Wed 7th Sep 2022 |
 Rugby returned on Saturday, with the first round of the Tennent’s Men’s Caledonia North Division 2 clash between old rivals, Highland Raptors and Moray RFC.
With Highland 1sts also in residence and playing on the main artificial pitch, it was a return to the more traditional grass for the Moray fixture. The recent dry spell meant conditions underfoot were on the firm side and a brisk breeze from left to right would both help and hinder in equal measure.
 Highland looked a much-changed outfit from recent seasons and Moray were missing a few regulars from the match day squad of last year. With it also being the first competitive fixture for both, it was uncertain how things would pan out. In the end it was the hosts who triumphed 29-10.
With the wind in their favour, Moray received the first half kick-off. The Raptors put on some early pressure but sound Moray defence kept them at bay and a penalty kick to touch cleared the danger.
 Moray then exerted pressure of their own, that ultimately lead to the first points of the game on 8 mins. A long penalty clearance followed by good work at the line out from Lewis Scott and then along the back line, ended with a penalty against them just short of the try line. The hosts couldn’t find touch from the clearance kick into the wind and infringed themselves, 30m out. Rory Millar slotted the penalty for a 0-3 lead.
Moray came close to going further ahead on 14mins. Shortly after snuffing out a dangerous Raptors attack, with a strong tackle on his much larger opposite number, debutant winger Lewis Hay then showed the same player a clean pair of heels, when set free on half way. Only a despairing tackle 10m out by the full-back and covering defender prevented him from popping the ball inside to support, for what would have been a wonderful try.
 Highland would finally get on the board on 23mins. Moray’s defence had forced a knock-on into touch 5m from their own line. Heavy pressure from the resultant lineout led to an attempted clearance kick being charged down in the in-goal area. A further clearance attempt failed and the Highland player was first to react, falling on the loose ball and securing the unconverted try. 5-3
With half-time approaching and no side having gained any dominance to this point, the score would have been a fair reflection of the action so far. A long, speculative kick through from the Raptors half-back would change this however. The ball crossed the try line but controversially the referee adjudged the ball was not touched down for the drop out and still live. Highland reacted quickest, regaining possession and dotted it down for an easy seven points.
HT 12-3
 Moray would have been looking to bounce back immediately but within four minutes of the restart they had fallen further behind. A clearance kick failed to find touch 10m inside their own half. The ball was gathered and spun, first wide to the right and back again left. With the defence outnumbered it was an easy run in for the Raptors winger. The conversion made it 17-3.
Similar to the first half, another disjointed period of play followed. Both sides were guilty of handling errors under pressure and breakdowns at the set piece. The home side were also reduced to 14 men for ten minutes when a yellow card was issued for infringing at the scrum.
 Moray took advantage and got themselves back into it on 53mins. A rare secured lineout 10m into the Highland half gave quick ball to the backs. Centre, Connor McWilliam came in on a great line to commit the defence before popping the ball to Jake Devlin for a converted score that their effort deserved. 17-10
Highland were in no mood to be pulled back, however, and restored the fourteen-point advantage from a free kick at the ensuing restart. A quick tap in midfield and the ball was moved to the right over the remaining 40m. Although held up just short, the ball was popped back inside for the score that made it 24-10.
 The hosts were in control now and each attack felt as if a score could come from it. A foot in touch, with a clear path to the line, saved one. A long chase by Hay from his opposite wing, to cut off a kick through, saved another. Inevitably though, Highland broke through again on 67mins. A missed tackle in midfield got the hosts to within 20m, where Moray illegally stopped release. Another quick tap sent the strong running left wing to score another in the corner. 29-10
 Highland were in the mood for more but to their credit Moray kept them at bay thereafter, even launching a final attack from their own line in the dying minutes. This ultimately floundered a short distance from the Highland line but the endeavour was commendable.
Final score 29-10
Although this isn’t the start Moray would have wanted, it is not a sounding board for the season ahead. Rustiness is inevitable at this stage but it is how quickly they tighten up on the basics that will determine how well they do. Add this to the urgency in defence and willingness to attack that were still on show from last year and they will again be an exciting team to watch and challenging team to beat.
Next game 10th September. Home to Shetland. Morriston Playing Fields (Early k/o) 2pm
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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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