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News Article |
| MACKIE ACADEMY 19 MORAY 21 |
| Thu 12th Mar 2020 |
 A last minute converted try saw Moray come away with a narrow 21 points to 19 victory in their final Tennents Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture at Mackie Academy last Saturday.
Moray kicked-off on a miserable drizzly afternoon and in the 7th minute, they took the lead.
 A penalty kick pushed them to an attacking line on the 22. Clean ball was taken and a drive took them to 10 metres from the line and a ruck.
Quick ball was moved and following a couple of driving phases, Lewis Scott burst through the line and scored. Rory Millar added the conversion for 0-7.
 Seven minutes later, they stretched the lead. An attacking line on the 22 was taken and driven and when released, Scott came into the line at pace, broke through three tackles and scored under the posts. Millar added the extras for 0-14.
It had been a flying start for the Elgin side and to make things worse for Mackie, they had a man sent off in the 18th minute for violent conduct.
The visitors dominated the next 10 minutes and in the 32nd minute, had a good chance to extend the lead but unfortunately, they knocked the ball on with line in sight.
 The Stonehaven side dug deep and came more into the game and after pinching a Moray scrum, 5 metres out, they forced their way over the line for a converted try to reduce the lead to 7-14 at the break.
The home side continued the pressure immediately after the break and in the 53rd minute scored an unconverted try through a good handling move in the backs, reducing the lead to 12-14.
 Moray responded immediately and forced an attacking line, 15 metres out. The line was taken cleanly but unfortunately after several phases of driving play for the line, the ball was spilled in contact and the opportunity gone.
In the 74th minute, Mackie got their noses in front. A penalty out wide in the 22 was tapped, run and a ruck set. Quick ball was moved to the backs and the inside centre took the ball at pace, barging his way over the line for a converted try and a 19-14 lead.
 The Elgin side were down but not out and set up an assault on the home line in the last 5 minutes.
A penalty to a line 5 metres out set up numerous driving plays for the line.
 They remained patient and following 3 penalties for infringements at rucks,
Steven Clark picked and managed to break the defence and score. Millar calmly stepped up and landed the conversion to win the game at 19-21.
 It had been a solid all-round display from the Moray side again based on good defence and having lost the lead they had held for 74 minutes; they had shown real grit and determination to get back up the pitch and win the game.
This was the last game of the season for the team and the win was very important to stay ahead of, and put pressure on, the two teams below them in relation to relegation.
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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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