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News Article |
| STORNOWAY 13 MORAY 29 |
| Tue 23rd Sep 2014 |
Moray's journey west last Saturday, by car an ferry to Lewis, was made worthwhile when they recorded a 29 points to 13 win over Stornoway in their latest BT Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture.
The Elgin side made the trip with only 16 players after a couple of late call offs. The squad for the day was a blend of debutants, core players and a couple of more mature players and they took the field with a level of confidence derived from good numbers at good training sessions.
From the kick-off, the away side pressed as the hosts failed to settle, eventually giving away a penalty for joining the ruck from the side. Winger Andrew McBean easily made it 0-3 by cleanly converting the penalty.
Immediately from the restart, Stornaway found their rhythm and their heavier pack became more prominent. Over enthuiastic defence gave away a penalty on the 22 metre line for hands in the ruck. The home stand-off easily made the kick, taking the score to 3-3 after 10 minutes.
From the very next passage of play, Moray regained the lead. They chased down their own kick off and managed to reclaim possession. A chip through from stand-off Marc Higgins took play to a line-out in the home 22. The islanders threw into the resulting line out, however, visiting flanker Kris Morrison managed to get in front of his opposite number and take the line-out. The ball was quickly moved through the hands to inside centre Joe Macari who broke the line and scored in the corner. McBean slotted over a great kick from out wide for 3-10.
Moray started to dominate the set pieces and this lead to a penalty at a scrum 5. Scrum-half for the day, Liam Burnell, quickly took the tap, was tackled short of the line but managed to wriggle over the line and score. The referee chalked off the score however, as he adjudged it a double movement.
It wasn’t until the 37th minute that the Elgin side managed to add to their lead. A break down the right wing by 'Man of the Match' Macari and some good off loading was rounded off when Captain John Westmacott drove the final 5 metres to reach over and touch down for the try. McBean added the extras to take the score to 3-17, the half time score.
In previous matches, Moray have been able to move up the gears in the second half, a positive benefit of having a full and strong bench. With only one sub and injuries starting to take their toll, they were not able to do so on this occasion.
Five minutes into the second half, the Stornaway right wing broke a couple of tackles to score. The conversion fell short leaving the score 8-17.
Moray responded immediately and encamped themselves on the home 22 metre line. Ball was recycled well and the defence was moved around through a couple of phases of play. This left a gap in the defence for Macari to exploit and his inside pass was taken by Morrison who made the line. The conversion drifted wide leaving the lead at 8-22.
In 65th minute, Macari added his second try and Moray’s bonus point try with a strong break as tiredness crept into the home side's play. This time the conversion points were taken, stretching the lead to 8-29.
A number of injuries in the 2nd half to Morrison, Macari, Alex Stronach and Lee Adams, meant that debutant substitute Jordan Walton had to play in several unfamiliar positions whilst treatment was being administered.
The home side got a second wind and grew in confidence, using their heavily built centre as a battering ram. It was a clever kick into the corner and an awkward bounce, that deceived Moray left wing Matthew Stanley, that allowed the home side to bundle the ball over in the corner. This time the kick came back of the posts, leaving the final score, Stornoway 13 Moray 29.
It was a good win by the team who had showed a lot of effort, commitment and a determination to win.
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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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