Saturday 5th April, 2008
Linlithgow
Hydro Electric Bowl, Quarter Finals
LINLITHGOW RFC 29 - 6 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS RFC
For the second time in two weeks the Stags made the short trip to Linlithgow this time in the quarter final of the bowl. With veteran skipper McFarlane unavailable the only change from last weeks winning team was the introduction of young Tom Chapman at wing forward. The Stags opened brightly and after a quickly taken free kick Linlithgow were penalised at the ruck and Forbes kicked the penalty. However the lead was short lived. After 5 minutes an attempted clearing kick from Campbell was charged down by the home centre and the ball looped up in the air to allow an easy catch and run to the line. The try was converted by the home fullback. Grangemouth continued to have a good share of possession but were unable to break the home defence. Linlithgow then broke out of defence after some missed tackles and the move was only halted when they knocked on in the Stags 22. As the game entered the second quarter Forbes kicked another penalty after the home side were again guilty of handling in the ruck. Shortly after the Linlithgow fullback restored the four point lead with a penalty as the Stags conceded a penalty at the breakdown. With half time approaching Grangemouth ran the ball out from their 22 and Hayes ran out of support and was tackled just outside the home 22. With the last play of the half Linlithgow missed a penalty. Half time 10-6
Linlithgow dominated possession and territory in the second half and they increased their lead after 5 minutes with a well worked try. Good hands by the home backs allowed the winger to make the break and his inside pass allowed the centre touch down for an unconverted try. Shortly after the fullback missed another kick as the Stags were again penalised at the breakdown. The home fullback was then denied as good defence held him up over the line. Linlithgow however were not to be denied for long. The referee seemed to miss a home knock on and Grangemouth were forced to concede a line out in the corner. From this they drove over for a converted try. Linlithgow scored their final try shortly after when some poor tackling allowed the wing forward to run in from 30 metres for a converted try. In the last minute a break by Hayes ended when Gibb knocked on. Final score 29-6.
Grangemouth can now turn their attention back to the league with an important home game with Glasgow Accies this weekend. Hopefully a big crowd will turn up at Glensburgh at 3pm for this vital fixture.
