Last Saturday, Moray produced a good all round display in their 40 points to 5 victory over Mackie in their latest Arnold Clark Caledonia North League Division 1 fixture at Morriston.
The home side took the early initiative and in the 5th minute took the lead. Following several phases of driving play in the 22, the ball was moved wider to centre Connor McWilliam. He drew the defence and then put fellow centre Ben Taylor into the gap to crash over the line. Full-back Rory Millar added the conversion for 7-0.
Moray were dominating possession and their scrummage was a great source of this as they were causing the visitors real issues with their power.
In the 17th minute, they added to their lead. Play progressed to an attacking scrum, 10 metres out. Ball was picked and driven for a number of phases before being moved from the base. McWilliam took a great line and burst through the defensive line to score. Millar added the extras for 14-0.
The Elgin side turned over the ball in a rare Mackie attack around the 24 minute mark. Quickly they turned defence into attack with progress through good handling. Millar made a break before offloading to wing-forward Beinn Hay to run in the try. Millar converted for 21-0, the half-time score.
Moray started the second half well and created three good early chances but were thwarted by some inaccuracies. In the 49th minute, they did get the bonus point score. A clearance by the visitors was gathered around the half-way and run back. The ball reached Lewis Scott, hooker but now playing prop, and he drove through several tackles before offloading to hooker Marc Higgins who too drove through a couple of tackles to score. Millar added the extras for 28-0.
The home side continued to press but in the 66th minute, Mackie scored. A penalty took them to an attacking line, 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken and a drive took them over the line for an unconverted try an 28-5.
In the 75th minute Moray added an 5th try. The visitors conceded a penalty on the 22 which was quickly taken by No 8 Cameron Hughes. He run hard at the defence before offloading to Millar who broke the last tackle to score an unconverted try for 33-5.
In the final minute of the contest, Mackie were attacking in the 22 when they were turned over. Higgins broke making good ground before offloading to 2nd row Jake Devlin who too made good ground. In contact he moved the ball to McWilliam who broke through the centre before shifting the ball to Hay to outpace the final defenders and score an end to end try. Millar converted for a final score of 40-5.
It had been a really good all round display by the Moray side who had thoroughly deserved their victory. The scrummage was strong and key to this making it a torrid afternoon for their opposite numbers. There was also a lot of good attacking play whether it be driving play or through continuity passing.
There is no game this Saturday and the next league fixture is away the Gordonians 2nds on Saturday 17th.