Saturday 3rd November

National League Division 2

GLASGOW ACCIES RFC 24 - 10 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS RFC  

After the improved performance of the previous week the Stags travelled to New Anniesland aiming to win on the road for the first time this season. However they produced a below par performance and once again returned pointless from their travels. The side again showed several changes with the return of McIntyre and Hayes (where did he get that haircut) in the centre and last weeks surprise number 12,  Mcfarlane,  finally acheiving a lifetime ambition by pulling on the famous number 3 shirt. Grangemouth were under pressure at the start when Accies regained their own kick off to gain useful territory.

After 3 minutes a good catch and drive from a lineout by the home side gained 20 metres and the move was only stopped by some good tackling in the backs. The pressure was relieved when Innes took a quick tap penalty on his 22 to run to halfway and kick into the home 22.

Shortly after Forbes missed a difficult penalty. grangemouth were unable to sustain this pressure as they lost a few lineouts in a row. In 12 minutes the home side almost scoredas the centre broke through in the middle of the park and was only stopped a few metres out by a covering tackle from Dodd. The Stags conceded a penalty which somehow the home stand off managed to miss. The Stags were giving away too many penalties and after 17 minutes they also conceded the opening try. The Accies attacked from a free kick and a neat switch on the wing allowed the winger to scamper over for the opening score which was converted. Grangemouth hit back and scored a good try after 25 minutes. A break by Campbell down the blind side released fullback Forbes who was stopped 5 metres out. From the ruck the ball was passed to Mcintyre who ran in for a try. The conversion was missed.

Accies immediately hit back and another break by the winger was only stopped by a timely interception by Innes. The winger was proving a difficult man to stop and was denied again by a Chapman tackle. With 5 minutes to remaining in the first half Accies finally increased their lead. The number 8 broke through in the centre and good hands allowed the winger to score his second try in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. In the closing minute of the first half McFarlane was yellow carded for slapping an opponent and Accies were denied a further try by a forward pass. Half time 12 - 5.

Once again Grangemouth let themselves down at the kick off when some missed tackles allowed the flanker to ngain useful territory and only a good tackle by Forbes prevented a score. The Stags survived the period of the sin bin  and mounted some attacks of their own with good play from Dodd and Gowdie and also a kick return by Forbes. After 53 minutes the home number 8 was yellow carded for another silly slap. However almost immediately the Stags conceded a further score. A long pass was dropped inside the opposition half and Accies broke up the touchline before passing inside for a converted try. The game became very scrappy in the last quarter with both sides making mistakes and conceding penalties at cucial moments. With 5 minutes left the Stags finally scored again. A break by Forbes was carried up to the line by McFarlane to allow Gowdie to dive over for an unconverted score. Accies were to have the last and bonus point score when the centre capped a fine display with a try from a quick penalty. Full time 24- 10.

A disappointing performane away from home again for the local side. Lets hope the home form is better on Saurday when local rivals Linlithgow come to Glensburgh for a 2pm kick off.