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News Article |
| MORAY 42 SHETLAND 5 |
| Mon 30th Mar 2015 |
Moray convincingly defeated Shetland by 42 points to 5 last Saturday in their latest BT Caledonia League Division 2 (North) fixture.
Shetland kicked off on a very blustery afternoon but immediately the home side progressed into the 22 and after only 5 minutes took the lead. The Islanders went 'over the top' at a ruck, 10 metres from their line, and full back Andrew McBean judged the wind well and slotted the kick for a 3-0 lead.
In the 10th minute, they increased the lead to 8-0 when they added an unconverted try. The visitors were penalised for being offside, 5 metres out, and flanker Harvey A'j Freeman quickly tapped and broke through two tackles to score out wide.
4 minutes later, it was 13-0 when Freeman scored his second try. The Shetland defence was stretched first left and then right, and an inside pass from centre Marc Higgins left him with a clear route to the line. The wind was getting stronger and McBean pulled the conversion kick wide of the posts.
The home pack was in control, bossing the scrums and delivering good ball to the backs to use.
In the 25th minute, they scored a third try. A big drive at a scrum on the halfway secured ball against the head and No 8 Ross Joy picked and progressed up the blind side. In contact he offloaded to scrum half Callum Watson and he in turn fed wing Callum Wright who had enough pace to run outside the defence and score under the posts. McBean added the conversion points for 20-0 lead.
Seven minutes later, the Elgin side scored their fourth and the bonus point try. Play advanced after a penalty, to 5 metres from the visitor's line. The wind was making line-out throwing difficult and a scrum was given after a squint throw. Another big drive took the ball against the head and Joy picked up and made the line for an unconverted try taking the score to 25-0, the half-time score.
The home side started the second half and after only 2 minutes, stretched the lead further. Play advanced through a number of phases to an attacking scrum 5. The ball was picked up by Joy after a solid strike and drive but he was held up over the line and the scrum reset. A similar scrum ensued but this time Joy made the line for his second try of the afternoon. McBean judged the wind well and slotted the conversion for 32-0.
The Moray side were in complete control of the game and the backs were intent running the ball at the visiting defence on every occasion.
In the 55th minute, Watson scored an unconverted try for 37-0 when he darted over the line after he picked up ball at the back of another solid scrum 5.
The heads of the relatively young Shetland side did not go down however and they scored a good try in the 65th minute. Several phases of driving and running play took them deep into the home 22. With the defence pulled in, they shipped the ball wide and the left wing found enough room to sneak in out wide for an unconverted try, reducing the lead to 37-5.
Moray returned to the offensive and forced their way into the opposition 22. Two minutes from time and after a drive for the line, the ball was set. The ball was moved quickly away from the break down. Higgins received the ball in the wing position and a strong run where he broke through 3 tackles allowed him to score out wide. McBean pushed the conversion kick leaving the final score: Moray 42 Shetland 5.
It had been a very good all round display by the Moray side in, at times, very windy conditions. The scrum had been excellent all afternoon and had been key to a plentiful supply of good ball and the source of a number of try scoring opportunities. Behind the scrum, the backs dealt well with the windy conditions and always looked threatening with ball in hand.
Moray’s next league match is at home to Ross Sutherland on Saturday 11th April with kick-off at 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 |
|
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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