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News Article |
| MORAY 1ST XV 31 GARIOCH 39 |
| Thu 26th Apr 2018 |
 Moray 1st XV lost out by 39 points to 31 against Garioch in their latest BT Caledonia League Division 2 North fixture at Morriston last Saturday.
The result now leaves Garioch and Ellon in best position to win the league with Moray having only a very slim outside chance that very much depends on other results going their way.
The Inverurie side started brightly and within 5 minutes had taken the lead at 0-5. A penalty kick took them to an attacking position, 5 metres out, and after several phases of play, they opened to the backs and scored out wide.
Moray got into the game but some good defending kept them at bay.
Garioch continued to threaten with strong running and in a 5 minute spell around the 20 minute mark, this helped them to add 3 tries, one converted, to take a 0-22 lead.
 To make things worse for the home side, in an attacking move in the opposition half, the ball was intercepted and with no defender at home, a fifth converted try was run in for 0-29.
The Elgin side picked themselves up and went about trying to get back in the game. In the 30th minute, and for the first time in the match, they put together a sustained passage of real pressure in the Garioch 22.
A number of penalties were given away by the defending team and eventually, after numerous driving plays, captain and hooker Lewis Higgins burrowed over the line for an unconverted try, reducing the leeway to 5-29.
On the stroke of half-time, a penalty took Garioch to an attacking line-out, 5 metres out. A clean take and a strong drive took them over the line for an unconverted try and a 5-34 half-time lead.
Moray started the second half on the front foot and in the 48th minute, after turning the ball over in a tackle in the opposition 22, ball went through a couple of hands to No 8 Ross Joy to score an unconverted try out wide for 10-34.
 The Elgin side were now in the ascendency but stout defending was halting progress. Garioch also had opportunities but the home defence was now operating better and dealing with any attack.
In the 66th minute, however, Moray did reduce the lead furthe.
A penalty was kicked to a line-out, 10 metre out. Clean ball was taken by second-row Connor Duncan at the tail and slipped to wing-forward Steven Clark on the peel and he barged his way over for the try. Full-back Callum Wright converted for 17-34.
The Elgin side were now pressing hard but in the 73rd minute, a missed first up tackle in midfield allowed the Inverurie centre to get behind the defence and make the line out wide for an unconverted try and 17-39.
Three minutes later, Moray scored a fourth try to gain a bonus point. Play had progressed to the opposition 22 but the ball was knocked in a ruck.
The Inverurie No 8 picked up from the resultant scrum and drove but lost ball in contact. Joy was quickly on hand to collect the ball and make it over the line for an unconverted try and 24-39.
 In the final minute and after several phases of play in the Garioch 22, the ball was moved to replacement centre Harvey Freeman coming at pace and he blasted his way over the line.
Wright added the conversion points for a final score of Moray 31 Garioch 39.
After a difficult first half where they had leaked 6 tries, the Moray side had shown great character and produced a good second half display, scoring 5 tries, to get themselves back into the game.
Moray 1st XVs next league game is away to Aberdeen Grammar on the 5th May.
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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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