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News Article |
| MORAY 36 LOCHABER 7 |
| Tue 6th Sep 2016 |
 Moray welcomed Lochaber to Morriston last Saturday for a BT Caledonia League Division 2 North (West) fixture.
The Fort William side kicked off and the first twenty minutes or so were keenly contested with the Elgin side doing more of the attacking and the visitors being well organised and resolute in defence.
In the 23rd minute, however, the home side made the break through. Play progressed to an attacking scrum in the 22. Clean ball was taken and wing-forward Marc Higgins broke up the touchline, passed the ball over the heads of incoming tacklers to No 8 Steven Clark, who scored. Wing Connor McWilliam pushed the kick wide leaving the score at 5-0.
 Three minutes later, Lochaber took the lead. A speculative kick by their wing slowly rolled into the Moray dead ball area where full-back Lewis Small was waiting to touch it down. The wing was chasing hard, however, and managed to get his hand on the ball to score. The Fort William stand-off slotted the conversion for a 5-7 lead.
The Elgin side returned to the offensive and in the 31st minute regained the lead. A line was taken against the throw on the visitor's 22 and moved through hands to centre Frankie Du Toit who broke a couple of tackles but was stopped a couple of metres from the line. An attacking scrum 5 was given, taken cleanly and a couple of pop passes later, Clark went over his 2nd try of the afternoon. McWilliam converted for 12-7.
Moray continued to press for the bonus point try at the end of the first half but the visiting defence held strong for a Moray 17 Lochaber 7 half-time score.
 The home team started the second half as they had finished the first with plenty ball and an attacking intent. In the 46th minute they scored the bonus point try. A passage of good continuity play took them deep into the 22 where the visitors were caught offside in the backs. A quick tap penalty was taken and after two long miss passes, wing Kieran Herrington had the space to make the line for an unconverted try and a 22-7 lead.
The Elgin side were eager to add more points to their tally but Lochaber believed they were still in the game and the next 25 minutes or so were keenly contested. In the period Moray had a number of good opportunities but overeagerness and inaccuracy nullified these. The Fort William side, who were now playing with only 14 after an injury, also had opportunities but the home defence was organised and resolute.
 In the 74th minute, the home side managed to breach the line. Play progressed down the left flank, through a number of phases, to a ruck. The ball was moved to centre Ross Joy who barged his way over the line. Replacement wing Andrew McBean landed the conversion for 29-7.
Two minutes later, Moray scored their final points of the game. A catch and drive at an attacking line on the opposing 22 took play to a ruck, 5 metres out. The ball was moved wide and Joy had a dart at the line but had to set when halted. The ball was quickly recycled and replacement No 8 Neil Wiseman took the ball at pace and scored. McBean landed the conversion for a final score of Moray 36 Lochaber 7.
 It had been a good bonus point victory for Moray, who bossed the game, against a well drilled and committed Lochaber side, who having travelled with a bare bones 15, had bravely competed the second half with only 14 after an injury. There were a lot of good things to take away for the home side but there were occasions where the accuracy was missing. This will come, however, with more games under their belts.
This Saturday, Moray are away to Ross Sutherland on league business.
 For the first time in a number of years and as numbers have been excellent at training, Moray were able to field a second side on Saturday when they played a 10 a-side game against Craig Dunain. Having competed really well in the first half which saw them take a 19-15 lead at half-time, the visitor's fitness was better and allowed them to dominate the second half and run out winners at 65 points to 19. It is hoped to build on this and get more games for a 2nds team. For anyone interested, training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm.
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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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