Saturday 22nd March, 2008

LINLITHGOW RFC 11 - 7 GRANGEMOUTH STAGS RFC

The Stags made the short trip to Linlithgow on Saturday but could only manage a losing bonus point in a match that finished in bizarre circumstances. The game opened with Grangemouth pressure and after 6 minutes a loose kick was returned by full back Hayes who side stepped his way 40 metres up the park and was unlucky when his kick over the opposition full back ran over the dead ball line. Linlithgow opened the score with a penalty after 15 minutes following a line out. Both sides cancelled each other out for much of  the rest of the half although just before the break a fine run by the home centre took play deep into the Stags 22 and the danger was only cleared when McFarlane intercepted the intended scoring pass.  Half time 3 - 0.

Once again Grangemouth dominated territory at the start of the second half but were unable to win crucial lineouts in the home 22. They were made to pay after 52 minutes when a break from a maul at half way allowed some good interplay from the home backs and the winger scored in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. This seemed to act as a wake up call to the Stags and 5 minutes later they were rewarded with a good try. Mathieson took a quick penalty well inside his own half and sold a couple of dummy passes before handing on to Gibb and Hayes and the full back timed his inside pass to winger Johnston who scored near the posts. Campbell kicked the conversion.

Shortly after another fine break saw Hayes racing for the corner and only a last gasp tackle prevented Johnston from scoring again. Linlithgow finally relived the pressure and were awarded a penalty which was kicked by the full back. As the game entered the closing stages the Stags had all the territory and pressure but were unable to break the home defence. The Grangemouth fans wondered about some of the kicking options with time running out. However it transpired that the referrees watch had stopped and he was telling everyone there was still 15 minutes to go!  He finally realised his mistake and called last play from a Linlithgow 22 drop out and the home side were happy to kick the ball out of the park for a home win. A disappointing end to a match the Stags could easily have won.

Final score 11 - 7.