25 August 2007
Glensburgh Park
GRANGEMOUTH 2ND XV 10 – 43 HILLFOOTS/ALLOA 2ND XV
Grangemouth 2nd Xv started off their season with a battling preseason friendly against local rivals Hillfoots/Alloa at Glensburgh on Saturday.
The game was played at the same time as the 1st XV on the adjacent pitch in a double header which was to prove significant later on in the day.
On a perfect day and pitch for rugby, the game kicked off and was played at a frenetic pace with both sets of players keen to impress the selectors for future 1st team duty. However, Hillfoots/Alloa were first to capitalise and breezed in two early scores due to confusion in the defence. Both were ably converted by their young stand off, who had a competent game.
Grangemouth had become notorious last season as late starters, but this match was down to players still learning the rehearsed patterns of play and in some cases, even names! However, the Stags were back in the game on the half hour mark when Opree rounded off a sustained period of pressure to touch down out wide on the left. The conversion was wide, but the game was now a more balanced and controlled affair. The Stags further closed the gap just before the half time whistle when a fine flowing move from the half saw the ball whistling though the backs hands to end up with Graeme Mair scoring in the far right corner. Again, the conversion was missed, but the game was tight at the half with Hillfoots/Alloa leading 14-10.
At this point, the game took a decisive turn when the 1st XV were hit by an injury crisis, and summoned up two of the 2nd XV! With both games being a friendly, this was not against any rules, and was important to keep the momentum going. However, this obviously greatly impacted on the events for the 2nd XV fixture and resulted in Hillfoots dominating the 2nd half and running in a further 5 tries and add ons with Grangemouth reduced to 13 men.
The game finished a rather disappointing 43-10 to the visitors, with Hillfoots on reflection perhaps edging the game even in the 1st 40 minutes. However, both teams appreciated the run out and chance to fine tune their moves ahead of the serious stuff next week when the league action begins.
