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News Article |
| MORAY 17 BANFF 14 |
| Tue 4th Feb 2020 |
 A strong third quarter performance by Moray paved the way to a narrow 17 points to 14 win against Banff, at Morriston last Saturday, in the latest Tennent’s Caledonia North Region League Division 2 fixture.
Banff started the game brightly and applied early pressure in the home 22 but defence was strong and repelled any attack.
Moray came more into the game but defence on both sides was strong and most of the play was confined to mid-field.
 Opportunities were few and far between for both sides but in the 34th minute, the visitors took the lead. A penalty, for entering a ruck from the side, allowed a kick to touch to 10 metres out. Clean ball was secured at the line and after a number of driving phases, a try was scored, which was converted for a 0-7 half-time lead.
The Elgin side kicked-off the second half and immediately put the Banff side under pressure and turned over ball. Driving play took them to 5 metres out where a high tackle produced a penalty. A quick tap was taken and following a couple of quick passes, Ross Joy burst through the defence to score a try, converted by Rory Millar, levelling the score at 7-7.
 Three minutes later, they took the lead. A well-placed kick took them back into the 22 to a defending line.
An inaccurate line was pounced on by the home forwards who then drove for the line. A ruck was set up, a metre from the line, then the ball moved through hands to Lachlan Jones who made the line for an unconverted try and a 12-7 lead.
Moray were in the ascendency and in the 58th minute, stretched the lead.
 Good driving play took them into the 22 and when the ball was opened, Millar prodded it through, past the oncoming defence.
The clearance kick was half charged down then gathered by Jones who used his pace to make the corner for an unconverted try and 17-7 lead.
Ten minutes later, Banff were awarded a penalty on the home 22.
 A quick tap and go was taken and following several driving phases of play, the forwards made it over the line for a try which was converted for 17-14, setting up an exciting end to the game.
Moray had a good opportunity in the 69th minute but lost ball in contact, however, in the last 5 minutes, Banff camped themselves in the home 22 looking for the winner. The Elgin side’s defence was determined and resolutely knocked back any threat before turning over the ball to finish the game.
 As is the norm with Moray v Banff fixtures, it had been a physical and close encounter which the home side had done well to come out on top of. They had defended well all game and had attacked particularly well in the third quarter where they scored the three tries that set up the win.
The next league fixture is away to Highland on the 15th February
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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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