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News Article |
| MORAY 24 - 27 RAF LOSSIEMOUTH |
| Tue 24th Nov 2009 |
 The latest Scottish Hydro Electric Caledonia Division 2 (NW) fixture at Morriston last Saturday was a local derby with Moray playing league leaders RAF Lossiemouth. A physical and close encounter was eventually won by the flyers by 27 points to 24.
The Elgin side kicked off and within 2 minutes had the opportunity to take the lead when the visitors were penalised for ‘over the top’, 30 metres out. Stand-off Jamie Hickie’s attempt, however, drifted wide.
Two minutes later, in their first foray into the home half, Lossie took the lead. A penalty for holding on the deck was kicked to the corner. Clean ball was taken at the line and a couple of phases later, the big physical forwards drove the ball over the line for the score. A missed conversion left the score 0-5.
In the 9th and 15th minutes, Moray had opportunities to reduce the lead but Hickie on the first and full-back Dale Smith on the second, both missed chances.
 Mid way through the first half, the Elgin side did put points on the board and scored a fine converted try to take a 7-5 lead. A mazy run by Hickie from inside his own half took him past the first line of defence and to the 22. Wing-forward Craig Forster was in support on the inside and received the pass to sprint over for the score.
Lossie tried to up the physicality of the game in the final quarter of the half and had a couple of opportunities to score. Solid home defence held out to half time.
Within 5 minutes of the restart, the home side extended their lead. The visitors were caught offside inside their 22 and Smith landed the penalty for 10-5.
 Five minutes later it was all square when the RAF side scored an unconverted try. Ball from a line-out was moved to the backs and the outside centre drifted past the defence and offloaded inside for the score and 10-10.
A couple of minutes later, they took the lead. The centre was again instrumental in the score and again breached the home defence before, this time, offloading wide for the wing to score. The touchline conversion attempt was missed leaving the score 10-15.
In the 46th minute, Moray again missed an opportunity to reduce the lead but Smith did take an opportunity a couple minutes later by landing a penalty for 13-15.
In the 61st minute, the home side surrendered another try, Lossie’s 4th and bonus point try, when they were caught out by a quick penalty tap after an ‘over the top’ decision in the 22. A missed conversion left the score 13-20.
Smith of the home side, added two penalties in the next 5 minutes to reduce the leeway to 19-20.
Moray were running the ball from anywhere on the pitch in an attempt to win the game. In the 75th minute, in trying to run the ball out of their 22, a pass was misplaced and Lossie pounced. The ball was fly hacked through and the attack reacted quicker to get to the ball for the score. The conversion points were added for a 19-27 lead.
A couple of minutes from time, the Elgin side were handed another penalty in the opposition 22. The decision to kick was the correct one as 3 points would put them in bonus loss point territory but also with an opportunity to try and win the game from the restart. Smith’s kick rattled off the upright and wing Douglas Ireland did well to regain the ball and move it wide. Hickie received the ball out wide and with enough room to score the try. Smith’s conversion attempt landed short and the whistle went with the final score Moray 24 RAF Lossiemouth 27.
It had been an entertaining yet physical and tight game of rugby. The try account had been 5 to 2 in the flyers favour but persistent indiscipline left opportunities through the boot for Moray. The back to back tries through missed tackles in the second half were a major set back whilst in the lead but the late try from an unforced error was the bitter blow.
This Saturday, Moray have another derby fixture when they head to RAF Kinloss to play in the first round of the Scottish Hydro Regional Bowl. Another tight fixture is expected from teams lying 2nd and 3rd in the league. Kick off is 12 noon as the Scotland v Argentina Autumn Test is at 2.30pm.
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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 |
|
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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