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News Article |
| GAIROCH 11 - 17 MORAY S1/2 - 23/02/14 |
| Fri 28th Feb 2014 |
 Moray travelled to Inverurie and with this being the only fixture against this Aberdeenshire side, the Morriston Playing Fields team looked to gain their first away win of the season, and happily returned to Elgin with a successful squad performance and a winning result 11-17.
The red and white hoops arrived at Kellands Park to prepare for a fixture, which was brought forward at the last minute by an hour, catching visiting Parents out, due to the Gairoch’s need for another Junior match on the same pitch straight after!!
This quick start led to a tight first half as Moray players found their footing on a heavy pitch and ploughed strong furrows down the middle of the field attempting to press the Gairoch pack back, but the home side were winning more ball at the breakdown, so keeping the visitors at bay.
Moray wouldn’t be denied by the hosts or the strong cross field wind, as flanker Ryan Robertshaw continued to show his try scoring form with another 3 points, as he crossed the line again.
Rory Millar converted the extra point to give Moray a 0-4 lead half way through the first half
Soon after, injury to the Moray hooker Brogan Thompson left him out of the rest of the game, and the with a temporary replacement on for full back Daniel Cotton, Moray reorganised well.
Despite Moray’s repeated pressure it was Gairoch who managed to score just before half time with a converted try, to leave the score all level at the interval, 4-4.
Both sides were experiencing depleted ranks due to other commitments and injuries, but this didn’t stop a very open second half from creating plenty of opportunities for both composite (S1/2 mix) sides.
Gairoch realised that their main area of success was to travel up the right wing, but Moray continued with improved tackling, and countered through strong running notably by flanker Murdo Cameron and Outside Centre Josh Chapman, with great attacking distribution by scrum half George Hurst, and good work at the breakdown by Rory Hands.
This resulted in Moray scoring their second 5 try hawl of the season, with further scores from; Chapman, Cameron, restored Cotton, and even ‘under the weather’ captain Gregor Alexander, whose strong running also gave Moray a platform to pressurise the home side, with Millar adding a further conversion point, in testing kicking conditions.
Moray lost their second hooker of the day, having already had his ‘card marked’ earlier in the game, Walker was involved in an off the ball incident, but following good use of SRU guidelines the referee David Wright, offered Moray a straight substitution, rather than pulling out a card to address the matter.
Gairoch never gave up and responded with two further tries of their own during the half, following their well trodden route up the right wing.
The Moray players must thank their coach Tim Hurst and ‘extra hands’ from Gregor Devlin, with his side line insight on the day, David Wright for officiating and Gairoch RFC for hosting and being a competitive opposition.
So, the Moray S1/2 squad face a heavy schedule for the rest of the season and have a quick turn around, with their next fixture at Morriston against Aberdeen Wanderers on 2nd March.
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12 |
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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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