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News Article |
| STORNOWAY U16 V MORAY U16 13/11/10 |
| Mon 15th Nov 2010 |
 Moray made the long trip across to Stornoway for their league fixture on Saturday. In spite of a rough crossing on Friday evening the lads were in a buoyant mood and felt that a late night in the hostel would get them set for the game!
Saturday dawned with the weather improving and Moray kicked off the match with a clever short ball to their own backs on the blind side. From the ruck Moray moved the ball wide to winger Kieran Cowie but an unfortunate knock on led to the ball being turned over and Stornoway’s winger ran in from half way to open the scoring. The try was converted to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead.
Moray were set back by this and took some time to settle and get their game going – the late night and rough crossing were no doubt a factor.
 Moray were finding their hosts hard to break down and Stornoway were playing well after their early success. The home team had Moray under pressure in their own 22 but Moray won the scrum and a clearing kick from standoff Duncan Steven moved play up to half way. Winger Kieran Cowie chased the kick and sped clear when the Stornoway full back was unable to control the ball. His break took play up to within 10 m of the hosts try line before he was tackled. Moray won the ball back and Liam Kelly powered over for a try. Ewan Stewart easily converted to make the score 7 all at half time.
Stornoway started the 2nd half in a determined mood taking play up into the visitor’s territory and stole ball from Moray’s line out in the 22. They moved the ball through their backs and scored out wide. The conversion was missed.
The hosts were encouraged by this and Moray had to put in some big tackles to keep them out. Try saving tackles by the Moray wingers and centres kept the score to 12-7 for Stornoway.
 Moray’s fitness was beginning to show and they started to put together some good forward drives and get into the Stornoway half. From a ruck midway the ball was moved out to winger Josh Grundle and he broke through a couple of tackles to score. Ewan Stuart again converted to give Moray the lead 12- 14.
Moray were now in the ascendancy and took play back to Stornoway from the restart. Stornoway were awarded a scrum which Moray took against the head. No 8 Liam Kelly broke with ball off loaded to winger Josh Grundle who went over in the corner to give Moray a seven point lead. The difficult conversion was missed.
 Moray now had their tails up and the hosts were tiring. A penalty attempt by Ewan Stuart from the 10 m line fell short and Stornoway attempted to attack from their own 22 but were quickly stopped by the Moray forwards who won the ball back and moved it wide to Josh Grundle who raced through to complete his hat trick of tries. Ewan Stuart converted to make the final score Stornoway 12 Moray 26.
This was a very entertaining match with Stornoway giving the Moray lads a tough challenge especially in the first half. Moray dug deep and their fitness and committed tackling help them win.
 There were improvements at the line out and the backs put in some try saving tackles to keep Moray in the game. Centre Hal Endersby was great in defence against some powerful runs from Stornoway’s back row and also helped create opportunities for Moray with some good line breaks.
The whole squad played their part in the victory and enjoyed the night away.
Highlights of the trip included:-
- An epic arm wrestle on the ferry between Roy (representing the coaches) and Trevor. Final result a draw due to disembarkation
- The win
- The trip back across a calm Minch
- The Burger King in Inverness – thanks to Mark Dunscombe
Low lights:-
- The trip out across a very rough Minch which claimed a lot of casualties
- The “let’s stay up until 3 am” preparation for the game
- The first half
Hopefully this trip will get the squad ready for the upcoming trip to Orkney and keep momentum going for the next home match v Caithness.
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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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