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News Article |
| ST ANDREWS UNIVERSITY 21 MORAY 0 |
| Wed 18th Apr 2012 |
 Moray’s hopes of being promoted to RBS Caledonia League Division 1 were dashed last Saturday when they went down by 21 points to nil away to St Andrews University in the final play off.
The final score-line somewhat flatters the students, however, as the Elgin side were very much in the hunt until they conceded two tries in the last 10 minutes.
The home side kicked off and had the better of the early exchanges but good solid defence kept them at bay.
In the 10th minute, however, they took the lead.
A Moray scrum on the half way line was taken against the head and the ball was quickly moved wide to the outside centre. He broke the line and then offloaded to his wing who run the ball in under the posts for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.
Both sides were on top in defence and a lot of the game was played in midfield.
 St Andrews were a bit more inventive in attack and always looked dangerous with ball in hand whereas most of the Moray attacks were being snuffed out and they were having to kick for position.
The only other real opportunity of the half also fell to the students when they attempted a long penalty kick after an offside decision, 5 metres inside the visitors half.
The attempt came up short leaving the half time score St Andrews University 7 Moray 0.
Moray started the second half with more aggression and purpose in their play and had the better of the early encounters.
In the 50th minute they created their best opportunity of the afternoon. Stand-off Craig Forster made the break, offloaded to wing forward and Captain Marc Higgins who, in contact, passed back to Forster.
It looked as if he was through to score but a last ditch tackle took him down and the chance was gone as the referee very hastily blew his whistle for holding on the ground.
The game was in the balance and the Elgin side were doing there best to get back on level terms.
 With time marching on and with around 14 minutes left on the clock, replacement centre Cameron Hughes gathered ball in his own 22.
With a need to get into attack, he chipped the oncoming defence but was second to ball and tackled the full back.
A ruck was formed and the referee adjudged that Moray had deliberately entered the ruck from an offside position and harshly sent the youngster to the sin bin.
St Andrews took advantage of the extra man and in the 70th minute extended the lead.
The visitors took scrum against the head in their own 22 and when the clearance kick did not make touch, they were cruelly punished when the left wing ran in a converted try for a 14-0 lead.
Five minutes from time and with a minute left on the sin bin, the home side put the tie beyond doubt when they scored a third try.
Again a clearance did not make touch and the ball was run back up the wing. A simple inside pass opened up the way for the inside centre to score a converted try for a final score of St Andrews 21 Moray 0.
There was elation for the home team at the final whistle as they had won promotion to Caledonia Division 1.
 From the Moray point of view there was great disappointment but the players can hold there heads high as they had put in a great deal of effort and should be very proud of their performance.
Without a doubt, St Andrews were the best team they had come up against all season and over the match had probably deserved their victory.
The Moray season has been memorable and they are Caledonia Division 2 North Champions.
With the league season now concluded, there remains the opportunity to retain the Brin Cup.
This Saturday Moray play Orkney 2nds in the semi final at Morriston. Kick off is at 10.30am to allow the islanders to catch the return ferry.
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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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