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News Article |
| MORAY 54 LOCHABER 0 |
| Wed 3rd Sep 2014 |
 Moray opened the new rugby season by comprehensively defeating Lochaber by 54 points to nil, in the first round of the BT Caledonia Regional Bowl North.
The home side kicked off, immediately regained the ball and the forwards drove the ball up the left flank to set up a ruck in the 22. Ball was moved quickly from the break down and centre Marc Higgins found the gap and scored. Wing Andrew McBean landed the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Moray continued to press but good defensive tackling and some unenforced errors meant that no further points were added in the first quarter.
In the 22 minute, the Elgin side were awarded a penalty for a high tackle in the visitor's 22. McBean calmly slotted the kick to extend the lead to 10-0.
 Lochaber continued the good effort in the tackle and tried hard to get back in the game but in the 33rd minute, the home side stretched the lead. Following a solid scrum, 30 metres out, the ball was spun wide and full-back Ewan Stuart took the ball out wide before wrong footing the defensive by cutting inside and scoring. McBean dragged the ball wide leaving the half time score Moray 15 Lochaber 0.
Moray started the second half brightly and within 2 minutes had added another score. Pressure was applied to a visitor’s scrum in their own 22 and the ball was hastily cleared. The clearance did not make touch and Higgins fed McBean who immediately took the ball back towards the score line. In contact he offloaded to replacement centre Joe Macari and he made the line for the score. McBean added the conversion points for 22-0.
Three minutes later it was 27-0 when Higgins scored an unconverted try, his second of the afternoon, after a move that started in their 22.
In the 49th minute, Moray put the tie beyond doubt with another score. The ball was taken against the head at a scrum and moved to the backs. Macari received the ball and made a good break before offloading. The ball was then moved quickly through hands to Alex Stronach on the wing and he made it in at the corner for an unconverted try and a 32-0 score line.
The home side were completely on top and running at their opponents at every opportunity and from anywhere on the pitch.
 In the 55th minute, they added a sixth unconverted try through No 8 Neil Wiseman. A scrum 5 was cleanly heeled and driven and the back row forward picked up and made the line for 37-0.
In the last 10 minutes, the Moray side added three further tries.
The first, and his second of the match, saw Macari breeze through a gap after a long pass from Higgins. Stuart added the conversion points.
The second started in the 22 with replacement wing Ewan Simpson storming up the wing before being halted in the opposition 22. He offloaded to Macari who when tackled stood big and offloaded to replacement wing Keiran Young and he scored an unconverted try in the corner.
The final score saw Young get his second try when he was released with enough room on the wing to score the unconverted try for a final score of Moray 54 Lochaber 0.
The tempo of the Moray play had been good all afternoon with the side up for the game and keen to do well.
 After a reasonably close first half in which the Lochaber side competed well, the home side began to click and create the opportunities to score some really good tries.
The scrummage was very solid and gave their opposite numbers a very uncomfortable afternoon. The early 'knock ons' by the backs were eliminated after the break and handling in the second half was excellent.
This Saturday, Moray are again at home when Aberdeen University visit for the opening game of the BT Caledonia League Division 2 North season. Kick off 3pm.
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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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