Saturday 8th December

National 2nd XV League- Div 4 East

Glensburgh Park

GRANGEMOUTH STAGS 2ND XV 32 - 11 ROSS HIGH 2ND XV

Grangemouth Stags second string recorded their third straight win to give their league campaign a massive boost in the driving rain at Glensburgh this week. Having suffered a 30 point reverse in the corresponding fixture earlier this season, when the Stags could only field 13 players, this was a sweet victory that demonstrated that on their day, they are a strong force.

With the wintry conditions moving in fast at the kick off, the game started in driving rain and wind which was always going to make things tricky. However, the pitch was to hold up well all afternoon and allow for a reasonably free flowing match. The stags, who are now beginning to string together some very useful continuity in team selection, were first to settle and got some points early on the board. Some solid play in the forwards drove the ball on to the 22, where a series od rucks and mauls found the home side only 5 yards out, and allowed Davie MacFarlane to burrow over for the score. Well converted in the swirling wing by Tom Chapman, this was a strong start with intent, which has been the achilles heel of the seconds in the past.

Ross High narowed the gap with a penalty after 20 minutes, which was cancelled out by a further penalty by Chapman to make the score 10-3.

The second score was not far behind and came on 30 minutes when again Grangemouth were able to apply continual ball pressure and showed great ball retention. Probing down the right wing in a number of phases, the ball was shifted through the backs hands to find Paul Burns rampaging through the defence to touch down. This time Graeme Mair added the extras to increase the lead to 17-3 which concluded the half.

Grangemouth did not hang about and started off where they finished with some great pressure from the kick off. Ronnie Innes was next to touch down after a great break from Johnny Campbell on at 10 for the second period. Roddy Mcpherson just pushed the extras wide, and was again short with his second conversion from a neat touh down from Michael Dodd. Both wingers are making their tentative returns from injury but were clearly enjoying the chance to run around regardless of the conditions. McPherson made up for the conversions by scoring the fifth and final score for the home side with some great running once again in the backs. 32 - 6 up, there was perhaps an element of takng the foot off the gas as Ross High rallied to gain a consolation score with a scrum 5 yards out. A blind side pick up, the flanker just squeezed over to end the scoring in the game.

Reflecting on the win, 2nd XV selector Davie Angus commented that having some old heads such as Ronnie Innes stepping down to the 2nd XV from years of 1st team duty, combined with some exciting youth coming through the ranks has given some renewed vigour to the team. There has also been the luxury of continuity in selection with the majority of the line up now beginning to pick themselves and offer a familir look and minimal disruption. This was a good win against a well organised team, who tested the home side in a number of ways.

The Stags now have the luxury of a further home fixture against Edinburgh Accies 3rd XV in league duty next week. Let's hope that the geat run of results continues in to the Christmas break to give some momentum for the new year.

TRIES: MacFarlane, Burns, Innes, Dodd, McPherson

CONS: Chapman, Mair

PENS: Chapman

MOM- Ronnie Innes

2- Brendan Tucker

3- Calum Taylor