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News Article |
| MORAY 48 ABERDEEN GRAMMAR 2NDS 14 |
| Fri 3rd Feb 2017 |
 Having finished top of the BT Caledonia League Division 2 North (West) at the mid-season break, Moray have progressed to the League Division 2 North (Top) where a final six fixtures will be played by each of the teams to decide the overall Division 2 North winner.
The Elgin sides last league fixture was played on the 5th November and on Saturday they welcomed Aberdeen Grammar to Morriston, where after a slow start, they ran out convincing winners at 38-14.
It was the Grammar side that came out of the blocks the quickest in the early part of the game and their dogged determination took them over the line within ten minutes. The conversion was added for 0-7 and the visitors expectations were obviously high with the amount of noise emanating from the huddle prior to that successful conversion.
Moray took it on the chin but immediately upped their work rate and got more into the game. An infringement by the Aberdeen side, on the 22, resulted in a penalty and a kick to the line. Scrappy ball was tapped down by the defenders but No 8 John Stuart was quickly through the lineout and scored, which from the smile on his face, he was totally delighted with. Wing Connor McWilliam added the conversion for game on at 7-7.
 The vast majority of the action for the next period of time all belonged to home side and saw wing-forward Neil Wiseman make the line for a second try, converted by McWilliam for the lead at 14-7.
The Moray forwards were playing well, competing in all phases and delivering good ball. Around the 25th minute, clean ball was spun wide to the backs and when centre Frankie DuToit received the ball, he cut back inside and drifted past the defence to score the third try. McWilliam was on form and he added the extras for 21-7.
As the first half was coming to a close, the strong running Stuart added his second, and the fourth and bonus point try for the Elgin side. McWilliam retained his 100% record leaving the half time score at Moray 28 Aberdeen Grammar 7.
 The second half turned out to be a much more evenly matched affair, however, 'Man of the Match' John Stuart managed to extend the lead and get over the line for his third try of the day. He was in scorching form and his power and bulk proved too much for the Grammar centres. On this occasion, the conversion was missed leaving the score at 33-7.
Wiseman narrowly missed scoring a second try when he pounced on loose ball but he ran Stuart a close second for 'Man of the Match' for his excellent shift in the loose.
Moray continued to press and their efforts produced a final home try, 10 minutes from time, when replacement scrum-half Gregor Hands was bundled over near the touchline, much to the delight of the home fans. With the conversion missed, the score was now 38-7.
Grammar rallied late on and after a sustained period of pressure at the end of the second half, they were rewarded with a penalty try by the referee who saw a justifying infringement which was not clear to the support. As they converted, the final whistle blew with the final score, Moray 38 Aberdeen Grammar 14.
It had been a good afternoon's work for the Moray side and the 5 points gained keeps the pressure in at the top end of the league.
 Everyone played their part but a special mention goes to Keiran Young who put in a huge shift in the backs and to John Hoss Martin who defies his age and came on to play hard, be unlucky to knock on with the line beckoning and who had a try chalked off being recorded as held up.
Many thanks also go to the support who turned out in numbers on a dismal day, including the large number of players down to watch, even though not selected. Seeing such large playing numbers is very heartening to see and boosts the morale of the club.
Due to the imminent arrival of the 6 Nations Championship, Moray's next league match is at home to Banff on March 4th when kick-off will revert to 3pm.
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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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