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News Article |
| ABERDEEN WANDERERS 13 MORAY 12 |
| Tue 22nd Jan 2013 |
Moray travelled to Aberdeen last Saturday to play Wanderers, in their final RBS Caledonia Regional Division 2 North league game before the league break, narrowly losing by 13 points to 12.
The match was moved from Groats Road due to surface water but the pitch at Westhills was also affected by several large areas of standing water. Moray kicked off on a thoroughly cold and miserable afternoon, and were immediately put under the cosh by a determined home side.
The Aberdeen side missed an opportunity to take the lead in the 12th minute after a penalty for handling on the deck. From this point, the visitors started to get themselves more and more into the game and in the 20th minute they were handed a penalty for an infringement in the 22. Full back Andrew McBean stepped up and landed the kick for a 0-3 lead.
In the wet conditions, handling was difficult for both sides and a lot of the play remained in the middle section of the park.
In the 25th minute, Moray forced played their way into the 22 after some good driving and popping play and were awarded a penalty when hands were used in the ruck that was set. McBean landed the kick to extend the lead to 0-6.
Ten minutes later Wanderers replied with a penalty to make it 3-6 when the visitors gave away a similar penalty just outside the 22.
Within a couple of minutes, however, the Elgin side regained their six point advantage when McBean landed a kick after a penalty for not rolling away after a tackle after another breach into the home 22.
Half time : Aberdeen Wanderers 3 Moray 9
The Aberdeen side started the second period brightly and tried to force their way towards the Moray line using their forwards. The visitors defence stood strong but in the 50th minute, they gave away a penalty when they strayed offside in the 22. They landed the kick to reduce the lead to 6-9.
The Elgin side responded and took the play into the home half and forced a scrum five. They pressurised the pick up from the scrum and secured the ball after it was kicked through by trailing Wanderers feet. Quickly they moved the ball away from the break down but with the line beckoning, they were called back when the referee inexplicably gave a penalty, claiming hands had been used in the ruck even though he was on the blind side of where it happened.
In the 59th minute, however, they were awarded another penalty when the home side entered a ruck from the side. McBean stepped up and calmly landed the kick to regain the six point advantage at 6-12.
In the wet conditions, the more experienced Wanderers front five were getting the better of the visiting front five and the last ten minutes became an onslaught on the Moray line. The defensive effort was immense and time after time they repelled attacks at the line until a minute from time. The referee handed a very dubious penalty decision to Wanderers, one which the travelling Moray supporters thought should have gone the other way. The penalty was in front of the posts and was quickly taken, from the wrong location, and a try scored. The conversion was landed allowing Wanderers to take the lead at 13-12.
In the final play of the match, the home side were caught offside out wide around 35 metres from goal. McBean stepped up to try and land the penalty but in the process his foot slipped and the attempt came up short leaving the final score Aberdeen Wanderers 13 Moray 12.
It had been a tight game with both sides enjoying spells of dominance. Moray can feel a little bit aggrieved though as a couple of critical decisions went against them and made the difference to the end result. The defensive shift of the team in the final minutes of the game was immense and the team can be proud of their efforts. The bonus losing point gained means that the team have finished in the top six at the league break and will now play a second game against the other top six sides to conclude the league.
There is no fixture this weekend but the following weekend (Saturday 26th), Moray are away to Shetland in the semi-final of the RBS North Regional Bowl.
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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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