GRANGEMOUTH STAGS 8 – 3 KILMARNOCK RFC

The 1st XV returned to league duty at Glensburgh on Saturday and entertained league leaders Kilmarnock.

The local side produced an excellent, disciplined team performance to defeat the Ayrshire side. The line up showed a number of changes from last week with the return of the ‘wedding party’ and also a first outing of the season for skipper Dave McFarlane. With the wind in their favour the Stags were unable to dominate the opening quarter with the only chance of a score coming when Johnny Campbell missed a penalty. However after 20 minutes a loose kick by the visitors was fielded by McPherson on the wing. He drew in 2 defenders before slipping a pass to full back Spencer who raced in from 35 metres to score. Campbell missed the difficult conversion. The rest of the half was stalemate as neither side gained territorial advantage leaving the half time score at 5 – 0.

The opening period of the second half saw Kilmarnock mount a number of attacks in the Grangemouth 22 but some excellent defence from the back row and midfield held the visitors. Midways through the half Grangemouth finally relieved the pressure and mounted some pressure of their own and were rewarded when Campbell kicked a penalty. With 10 minutes left Kilmarnock replied with a penalty of their own but the local side held on for a deserved win.

An excellent win for the local side with Gillanders and Innes to the fore in the forwards with strong midfield defence from Hayes and Mcintyre in the backs. There has been a welcome return of key players back from injury which is now lending a much more balanced look to the team. As the season progresses and the players fully get to grips with the new plays and team mates, there is a strong belief that there is a big win waiting round the corner.

This Saturday the side make the long journey to Newton Stewart for a 3 pm KO. Check the website or contact the club for travel details.

1. Marc Stirling 2. Paul McBryde 3. Billy Tulloch 4. Steve Binnie 5. Dugald West 6. Davie McFarlane 7. Ronnie Innes 8. Charlie Gillanders 9. Davy Wilson 10. Johnny Campbell
11. Brendan Tucker 12. Tony Hayes 13. Caine McIntyre 14. Roddy McPherson 15. Lee Spence

16. Gavin Curran 17. Mike Gowdy 18. Scott Noble

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