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News Article |
| MORAY 29 BANFF 22 |
| Mon 3rd Dec 2012 |
Moray continued their vein of form and narrowly defeated Banff, by 29 points to 22, in a very competitive Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture, last Saturday.
The early part of the match saw both sides having chances but defences held firm.
In the 18th minute, however, the visitors took a 0-3 lead when they landed a penalty after Moray handled on the deck just outside their 22.
Three minutes later, they extended the lead after a driving move by the forwards was finished off by the right wing. The conversion kick was pushed leaving the score 0-8.
The Banff forwards were having a good spell with ball in hand but the Elgin side started to get their forwards more and more into the game.
In the 35th minute, the home side scored their first points. After a period of pressure in the opposing 22, a Banff scrum 5 was taken against the head. The pack got the push on and when the line was crossed, No 8 Ross Joy picked and scored. Full back Andrew McBean landed the conversion points for 7-8, the half time score.
The Moray half time team talk changed the game as they came out fired up for the second period and immediately took the game to the opponents with some strong running and handling play by both forwards and backs. This paid off and with only three minutes gone, they took the lead. Some hard driving took them to and over the line with second row Steven Clarke scoring the try. McBean pulled the conversion wide leaving the score 12-8.
Three minutes later, they stretched the lead. For a second time, the scrum drove their opponents over the line and Joy scored his second try. McBean added the conversion points for a 19-8 lead.
Banff responded well to this set back and in the 54th minute reduced the lead. Some driving play took them into the home 22 to a scrum 5. Clean ball was picked up by the scrum half and his inside pass gave their No 8 enough room to barge his way over the line for an unconverted try and a 19-15 score line.
The visitors continued to press for a winning score but the Moray defence stood resolute and in the 68th minute it was them that scored to extend the lead. A driving move took them into the opposing 22 to a ruck. The ball was moved wide and replacement wing Ryan Anderson beat two men before turning the ball back inside to replacement back row Laurie McCutcheon, who made the line for a fourth and bonus point try. McBean landed the conversion points for 26-15.
Within three minutes, Banff had responded. A chip through by the stand-off was not dealt with by the home defence and a penalty given for playing the ball out of the field with a hand. The tap penalty was taken and the forwards drove the ball over the line for the score. The conversion points were added, reducing the lead to 26-22.
The visitors tried to go all out for the winner but it was Moray who finished the stronger. In the 79th minute, they were awarded a penalty after hands were used on the deck in a move that had taken them into the 22. McBean calmly stepped up and landed the kick for 29-22.
From the restart, a running move took the home side back into the opposition 22 and over the line, but the ball was held up and the final whistle went.
On a cold and wet day, both teams should be congratulated on the excellent and exciting game of rugby they served up. The difference had been the ten minute spell after half time which had set up the win for Moray when they upped the tempo, kept the ball alive and scored two tries.
This Saturday, the team are on league business, away to Aberdeen Wanderers.
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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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