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News Article |
| ELLON 10 – 18 MORAY S1/2 - 04/05/14 |
| Mon 12th May 2014 |
 Moray S1/2s returned to The Meadows, following their visit to the previous 7s event weekend, were they have finished in 4th place overall, and played their last regular season XV a side match.
Confidence was high, as the Morriston squad had beaten Ellon at home 24-9 in the corresponding home fixture back in the Autumn, and 12-3 in the 7s match, last week.
On this bright sunny day and on a good to firm pitch, Moray started with some less experienced players, but the positive play came from the hosts. Moray looked sluggish and especially slow from the defensive line.
Ellon gained heart from their early pressure and this resulted in them scoring two tries, one of which was converted. Moray’s forwards appeared to be less dominant in the tight than usual, and without an away score in the first period ended 7-0.
Moray had tactical substitutions in hand for the second period, and this raised the red and white’s strength in forwards and backs.
 Moray displayed better support play, but still with varying quality but now the visitors got on the score sheet, with tries from talisman flanker Ryan Robertshaw, who had quickly recovered from his injury last weekend, and established full back Daniel Cotton, one of the tries was converted by fly half Rory Millar.
Moray’s injury list seemed to be building up, as Ellon did manage to cross the try line once in the middle period, so keeping hold of the lead, 10-7.
In the last period Moray turned on their recent, 2 wins in a row, away form and dominated the hosts. Robertshaw completed with a hat trick of tries, one of which was commented upon by Ellon staff as coming, “straight off the training ground”!
 But the best try from Moray came through the backs, as it went through all the hands and ended up with returning winger Nio Trujillo crossing the line. Again, Millar was on hand to add 2 out of 3 conversion points.
Moray appeared fitter and faster by now, with the Ellon’s attack becoming slower and predictable at the set play, Moray had completed the job of turning over the score line with a 3rd consecutive away win of 10-18.
Moray’s S1/2 skipper Gregor Alexander had exceeded expectations by playing all three periods, despite any injury at the 7s event, and even had two opportunities to score, but on this occasion he was unsuccessful.
 More knocks and bumps were accumulated, but thanks going to the machine like tackling of Walker and Robertshaw, spirits were high after the victory during which Moray again managed to score 5 tries, worthy of a bonus point?
Continuity is important in any squad, and the retained S1 players will definitely lead the way next season. Cotton, Ball, Nicol, Waters, Devlin, Beadle and co., will provide Moray S1/2 with a stable base, to add the fledgling P7s into the XV a side game.
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Caledonia 2 North |
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| Aberdeenshire |
12 |
46 |
| Highland 2nd XV |
11 |
46 |
| Moray |
12 |
40 |
| Ross Sutherland |
10 |
22 |
| Banff |
12 |
19 |
| Mackie |
10 |
10 |
| Aberdeen Grammar 2nd XV |
9 |
1 |
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Last 1st XV Game |
| 1st XV Season (2021/22) |
| Banff 33 - 39 Moray |
| 5th Mar 22 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Duff House |
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