Saturday 17t November

Glensburgh Park

National Division 2

GRANGEMOUTH STAGS RFC 0 - 15 HOWE OF FIFE RFC

After the disappointment of the previous weeks performance against Linlithgow, the Stags could not have picked a tougher challenge than to take on the unbeaten league leaders at Glensburgh on Saturday. And despite a much improved performance the local side again failed to turn pressure into points to suffer another home defeat. The opening exchanges saw the visitors take charge with some good driving from the lineouts. However the local side defended well especially in the centre and the closest to a score was a missed drop goal after 14 minutes. As the game entered the second quarter the Stags started to dominate territory and almost scored when  Dodd was stopped 5 metres out following a break by Mathieson and Mcintyre. A further quick tap penalty saw Binnie feeding Forbes on a good run before McIntyre was stopped on the 22. The half ended with Grangemouth on top but unable to break the Howe defence. Half time 0 - 0

The second half started with another fine run from Mcintyre ending with a knock on. The game turned on 55 minutes with a bizarre decision from the referee. With the play in midfield Gillanders handled on the ground and was yellow carded. Howe immediately took advantage with a kick to the corner. The Stags defended the initial lineout drives but were unable to clear their lines and from a further lineout drive the prop drove over for a converted try.

Stags failed to kick 10 from the restart and from the resulting scrum a break by the centre took play close to the home line and a try resulted from the ruck. A few minutes later the scoring was completed with a penalty in front of the posts following a high tackle. Final score 0 - 15. Next week the Stags travel to Kilmarnock hoping to break their duck on the road.

 GRANGEMOUTH SELECT XV 12 - 12 ISLE OF BUTE SELECT XV

Grangemouth fielded a mixture of young and old as they entertained Bute at Glensburgh on Saturday. The scratch side showed their rustiness in the first half when despite having the wind in their favour the local side failed to dominate territory and  the first half was scoreless. At the start of the second half good play in the backs saw the home winger score in the corner. However Bute hit back with 2 trys, one converted, to lead 12 -5. With the game in the final seconds loose lineout ball on the visitors line saw flanker Houldsworth dive over to score. Veteran Rennie defied his age and lack of fitness to strike the ball cleanly between the posts to tie the game. Good performances from youngsters Houldsworth and Ward, and veterans Rennie, Crawford Churchill, Busby, Forsyth and Stirling