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News Article |
| MORAY 29 ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY 33 |
| Thu 21st Feb 2013 |
The second half of the RBS Caledonia Division 2 North league got under way last Saturday when Moray were beaten by 33 points to 29 after opponents Aberdeen University scored a converted try in injury time to pinch the game.
The students kicked off, playing downhill and immediately took the game toMoray. In fact, the first 10 minutes or so were played in the home half.
In the 18th minute, however, it was the Elgin side that took the lead. The Uni back line was caught offside, 5 metres from their line and Stand -Off Andrew McBean stepped up and landed the kick for a 3-0 lead.
From the restart, Moray returned to the attack but a dropped ball in midfieldallowed the opponents to pick up the ball and run in a converted try for a 3-7 lead.
In the 28th minute they stretched the lead. Their backs always looked threatening with ball in hand and a move that stretched the home defence, firstly to the right and then to the left, was rounded off when an inside pass allowed the defence to be breached. The conversion points were added for 3-14.
This spurred the home side into action and they got back to their game plan oftaking on their opponents up front and drawing in the defence before opening up to the backs.
In the 33rd minute, they forced their way to a line out 5 metres from thestudent’s goal line. Clean ball was taken and a drive saw them get over the line with Second Row Laurie McCutcheon getting the ball down for the score out wide. A superb kick from the touchline by McBean added the conversion points to reduce the lead to 10-14.
The home side were now winning a good share of the ball, making good use of it and in the final minute of the half, they took the lead. Again they forced a line 5 and tried a driving move again. This time the Uni forwards pulled down the maul and gave away the penalty. Second Row John Stuart took a quick penalty and managed to force his way over the line for the score. McBean added the conversion points to make the half time score, Moray 17Aberdeen University 14.
The Elgin side started the second half as they had left the first by retainingpossession of the ball. In the 50th minute, they again found themselves deep in the opposition 22 and at a scrum 5, defence put in. A big push saw the scrum rotate and the ball squirt out. No 8 Ross Joy was first to react and he picked up and forced his way over the line. McBean pulled the difficult kick leaving the lead 22-14.
In the 61st minute, the students showed just how dangerous they are when they have ball in hand. Moray lost the ball attacking in the opposition half and the visiting No 8 quickly made yards and then offloaded to his supporting backs to run in the try out wide. The difficult conversion attempt was missed but the lead was reduced to 22-19.
Within 3 minutes, the home side regained their 10 point lead when they scored a fourth and bonus point try. A running and driving move took them back into the 22 to a ruck. Joy picked up from the base of the ruck and with no-one at home on the blind side, made the line. McBean added the conversion points for 29-19.
In the 73rd minute the Aberdeen side scored their fourth and bonus winning tryafter their left wing stepped inside the defence and scored under the posts. The added conversion points left the score at 29-26 and got the students within a score of the win.
The home side looked to be successfully holding on to their lead and seeing the game out but in injury time they gave a penalty away on the halfway line. The penalty was quickly taken and the ball moved wide. A switch moved out wide opened up the home defence and allowed the winning try to be scored. With the conversion points landed, the score was now 29-33.
Moray needed to regain the ball from the restart as it was now the last play of the game. The Uni forwards secured the ball, however, and the scrum half booted it off the pitch. The final whistle went with the final score, Moray 29 Aberdeen University 33.
The students were delighted with their win but the home players were disappointed that they had leaked 2tries in the last seven minutes to lose the game. After a slow start and knowing how dangerous the Uni side were with ball in hand, Moray had got their game plan together and for long spells had deprived their opponents of ball and dominated the game. The Aberdeen side weathered this and made the most of the opportunities they had to squeeze out a victory.
This Saturday Moray play Kinloss Eagles in the final of the RBS North Regional Bowl. Kick-off is 3pm at Morriston Playing Fields.
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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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