Saturday 19th January 2008

Craigmount High School

National reserve league Division 4 (East)

FORRESTERS 2ND XV 21 – 3 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS 2ND XV

With so many games having been cancelled due to the terrible recent weather conditions, it was a relief that this fixture was able to go ahead. However, the match was moved from the regular Forresters pitches to the local High School ground. The surface was much more playable, but the ground was a lot tighter and shorter which was to have an affect on both teams tactical play.

The sun threatened to break out as the game kicked off, with both teams adapting to keeping the ball tight, as there was no width to ship the ball to! There was various attacks and defensive phases from both teams, but Grangemouth were first to break the deadlock with a simple penalty in front of the posts nudged over by Mair.

Foresters missed the chance to equalise with a similar effort, but the Stags failed to capitalise on their lead with a  squandered effort by Mair again, and an audacious effort from the half way line by Sonny Campbell. However, the half fizzled out with Grangemouth changing directions clinging on their narrow lead.

The lead was not to last long however, with Forresters at last getting on the score board with a penalty out wide to even up the game, and it was not long before they scored the first try of the game with a speculative punt up the wing not dealt well enough by the visiting wing, allowing their stand off to pick up the scraps and side step around the flailing defence to touch down. Conversion missed but leading 8-3.

The game was still very even affair, but Grangemouth on this occasion were guilty of not executing their chances when camped on the oppositions 5 yard line. Neil Chisholm took the wrong option electing to try to squeeze through where there was no hole, while Brendan Tucker, Kenny Paterson and Mike Gowdy were to find that brute strength was not going to win the day either. The team was missing a little bit of guile that would unlock a pretty resolute defence.

Indeed, Forresters who had no more possession than Grangemouth, then racked up a further two scores with some rather uncomplicated play, making the ball do the hard work.

So it is back to the drawing board on this occasion for the Stags after some recent fine performances on the road. There was still elements of the continuity that has been developing in the last fixtures, but perhaps the availability of so many players and a strong bench led to the complication and mixing up of moves and calls.

Next week it is bak to Glensburgh to entertain with the usual 2pm kick off. The league will shortly be shutting down for the upcoming 6 nations internationals, as the Stags continue their long running affiliation of touring to Wales. More (edited) details will no doubt follow!