Saturday 26th September 2009

National League

Away

Kirkcaldy U18's - 47           Grangemouth Stags U18's - 7

Grangemouth U18`s travelled to Kirkcaldy this week to have a re-contest against a team which they beat by a late converted try the week before. The Grangemouth team was substantially different to the victorious one due to senior team call-ups, injury and unavailability but this allowed some of the less experienced players valuable game time.

The conditions at Kirkcaldy were perfect but the Grangemouth lads seemed more intent on enjoying the sunshine than concentrating on the task in hand.

Grangemouth kicked off but it was obvious from the outset that Kirkcaldy’s youngsters were more up for the challenge. A high kick was well fielded by the Fifers and good running combined with poor tackling saw an early try being conceded.

From the restart Grangemouth came more into the game and whilst always struggling in the set piece they did make their presence felt through some good rucking. It was a piece of individual magic from David John Innes which led to the Grangemouth try after gathering the ball on the half way line he weaved his way past the defence to score near the posts and the try was converted.

Grangemouth again switched off and some really poor tackling, something the coaches will want to correct at training, allowed the home team to score without really having to play as a team. There were some signs of recovery before half time when a massive up and under from Connor McFarlane gained very good position but the chance went begging as they could not force their way over the try line.

The second half started better but Grangemouth were always on the back foot and after another try was conceded, the collective heads went down. Kirkcaldy seemed to sense this and went for the jugular, running in another 3 tries in the last quarter of the game for, what was, on the day a well deserved win.

All was not gloom for the Young Stags, it was a much-changed team and they were up against physically stronger opponents but it was evidence that without mastering the basics you will always struggle. The good news is that a lot of this can be sorted at training and the coaches can and will get this across as long as the boys support them by getting there in numbers.