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News Article |
| ABERDEEN WANDERERS 20 MORAY 24 |
| Fri 7th Mar 2014 |
 Moray made the trip to Aberdeen last Saturday to play Wanderers in an RBS Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture. After a hard and tight game, they scraped home as winners by 24 points to 20 after scoring the winning try in the final minutes of the game.
The home side kicked off and immediately took the game to Moray with some strong and aggressive play. It was the visitors who had the first opportunity but an overthrown pass, with a clear overlap, put paid to the chance.
 The Elgin side continued to press, forced their way into the 22 and in the 13th minute were awarded a penalty, 20 metres out. Full back Andrew McBean calmly stepped up and slotted the kick for a 0-3 lead.
In the 24th minute, Wanderers replied and took the lead after they gained possession after the ball was lost in a mishandled move in the backs. The ball was snapped up and an unconverted try run in for a 5-3 lead.
Five minutes later, the visitors should have retaken the lead but the final pass was forward and the opportunity gone.
Again in the 33rd minute another chance was squandered by a missed pass.
 In the 36th minute, however, Moray did take the lead when, after a concerted period of pressure, Captain Aled Herbert touched down. McBean added the conversion points for a half time score of Aberdeen Wanderers 5 Moray 10.
Both sides started the second half lively with thrusting attacks and in the 45th minute, the Aberdeen side created an overlap and scored under the posts. They added the conversion points the regain the lead at 12-10.
In a five minute spell a number of refereeing decisions seemed to go against the Elgin side with the home side ultimately being awarded a penalty in the opposing 22 when perhaps the penalty should have gone the other way.
The kick was landed and the lead stretched to 15-10.
 In the 67th minute, the lead changed again. A Wanderers scrum in their 22 was taken against the head and Ali Baxter capitalised by scoring the try. With McBean off injured, Ewan Stuart took up the duties and coolly landed the kick for a 15-17 lead.
Four minutes later, Moray’s luck was in as Wanderers dropped the ball when they were over the try line but within two minutes they were rewarded when their hard work forced an unconverted try to once again retake the lead at 20-17.
The Aberdeen side continued to press to try and kill the game off but it was the visitors who dug deep, defended well and scored the winning try.
 With only around 5 minutes left on the clock, stand-off Marc Higgins bravely started a handling move from near his own goal line. He offloaded to flanker Neil Wiseman who in turn put Ewan Stuart into space and he ran from his own 22 to score under the posts. He converted his own try to make it a 7 pointer.
Moray held out for the remaining minutes to record a 20-24 victory
It had been a close but hard fought win. Throughout the game, Wanderers proved to be the more aggressive but the Elgin side stood up to the mark and defended well. On another day this contest would have been won comfortably but the accuracy of the handling was not up to scratch in the first half when they created numerous opportunities during a purple spell.
Moray have no fixture this Saturday, but are at home to Aberdeenshire on the 15th March. Currently the kick-off is 3pm but an eye should be kept on the website at www.morayrfc.co.uk for any changes.
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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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