Sunday 14th October

Glensburgh Park

Ladies National Division 2

GRANGEMOUTH LADIES STAGS RFC 10 - 13 MELROSE LADIES RFC

Grangemouth Ladies played their first home game of the season in front of an impressive home support.

Dynamic Number 8 pick ups by Emma Forbes-Hayes gained ground and set the tone for the game that Grangemouth were here to play rugby and deserved their place in Division 2 after winning the development league last year..

Like their last game, the 'stagettes' started well by putting the first points on the board from a try by outside centre speedster, Susan Ferguson. The play leading up to the score was perfected in training the previous week, and executed brilliantly to put Grangemouth 5 – 0 ahead.The conversion was missed which would come back to haunt the home team by the end of the game.

The home team defended well through out the game but conceded a try just before half time when the Melrose centre put a grubber kick through which she gathered herself and scored.  This was converted to make the score 5 – 7 at half time.

The second half again saw Grangemouth defend well with special mentions going to Elaine Bradie, Jemma Forsyth and Emma Bradie who won “hit of the day” but later had to leave the field injured.  She was replaced by Debbie making her debut for Grangemouth, who showed great potential catching 2 testing high balls flawlessly.

A quick tap penalty taken by Elizabeth Crossan for Grangemouth in the Melrose 22 saw the forwards charge the line and the final pass from Emily Emsworth to Maree Anderson saw a 2nd try for the Glensburgh Girls. 

Further changes were made when Corrie Malcolm was replaced by Linda Morrison but was soon to return when Karen Ditch left the field and a reshuffle saw Jennifer Cram join the back row and Alex Chapman the front row as hooker.  The cover tackling by Cram typified the gutsy Grangemouth effort and kept the home team in contention till the last kick of the game.  Grangemouth were penalised in their own 22 for pulling back the attacking player running through, which saw the Melrose stand off successfully kick from the touch line to bring the final score to 10 -13.

This was a cruel lesson to learn in such a dramatic fashion after 80 minutes of hard rugby. With many of the girls still breaking in to the game and coming to terms with some of the more convoluted rules, it was a harsh way to lose after giving so much, but surely a mistake that will not be made again, and a valuable lesson learned for the long season ahead. Again they showed great effort and determination thorughout the match and have clearly come on leaps and bounds since the previous meetings of these two clubs last year in the Scottish Cup.  Next game is away to Dundee University on Sunday 28th October.

As ever, if you think you are interested in taking up ladies rugby, then you would be made to feel very welcome and are encouraged to come on doen to training one night to meet the team and give it a try. No previous experience is requred, just enthusiasm and the will to try something new, fun and exciting. Full details can be found on the club website; www.grangemouthrfc.co.uk

 Squad; Rhona Wilson, Elaine Bradie, Karen Ditch; Marie Anderson, Emily Emsworth, Alex Chapman,, Emma Forbes-Hayes, Mairi Forsyth, Elizabeth Crossan, Lesley Middlemiss, Jemma Forsyth, Susan Ferguson, Emma Bradie, Jennifer Cram, Corrie Malcolm, Debbie Little, Linda Morrison