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News Article |
| MORAY U16 V STIRLING COUNTY 4/3/12 |
| Tue 6th Mar 2012 |
 Moray welcomed Stirling County to Morriston for their 2nd match in the Cally Champions league and recorded a hard fought 18-13 victory in what was a great advert for youth rugby.
Moray kicked off in perfect conditions and took an early lead with a penalty converted by Ewan Stuart after 5 minutes for an offside infringement at a ruck. Stirling replied almost immediately with a penalty after a Moray player strayed offside to make it 3- 3.
Shortly after this Moray lost their no 9 Matty Smith after a clash off heads and David Burns took over the scrum half duties.
This change didn’t upset the Moray team and they were keen to run the ball from deep with Trevor Jones, Josh Grundie and Spencer Barcis combining well to threaten the visitors with a breakout form the Moray 22.
 They then spent 5 minutes in the visitors 22 moving the ball wide from a scrum but were unable to convert the pressure into points and Stirling took the game into Moray’s territory and opened up a lead after converting a penalty on 25 minutes.
Shortly after this Stirling had a player sent off for dissent.
However they were still in the ascendancy and finished the half with a well worked try from a lineout on the Moray 5m line from which they moved the ball to one of their centres who powered over just wide of the Moray posts.
The try was converted to make it Moray 3 Stirling 13 at half time.
 Moray used the half time break to refocus and from the restart they set the tone for the 2nd half with a clean catch and powerful drive by Aaron Logan taking them deep into Stirling’s territory and a couple of quick ruck balls led to a break by Jones and an offload to Grundie let him sprint clear to touch down in the corner and make it Moray 8 Stirling 13.
From the restart Moray took a quick penalty after Stirling strayed offside and Jones set up a ruck midfield before the ball was moved along the Moray backline to Grundie at centre who powered through a gap and ran in from 30m to make it 13 all. Stuart converted to give Moray a well deserved 15-13 lead.
Moray and Stirling both enjoyed chances after this but it was a very even match with both teams showing great commitment and enterprise.
With 5 minutes left Moray moved into a 5 point lead when Stuart converted a penalty after a Stirling infringement just outside their 22.
The home team then closed out the game in a very professional manner absorbing any attacks Stirling made and clearing their lines effectively.
This was a great performance by the whole squad after a couple of difficult away trips. Cool heads and superb focus and commitment let the team make the most of the chances they created and in beating the top team from the Midlands league they have a real opportunity to make a mark in the Champions league and National Bowl in the weeks ahead.
Next week the u16’s are away to Perthshire.
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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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