Aberdeen Grammar 2nds 32 Moray 0: Pictures and report from Tennent’s Caledonia North Region Division 2 rugby clash
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Having had their Premiership game cancelled, Aberdeen Grammar bolstered their 2nd XV with several players with higher league experience for their big match against Moray, writes Graham Stables.
The Granite city club went on to defeat Moray by 32 points to nil in a rearranged Tennent’s Caledonia North Region Division 2 fixture last Saturday.
The Elgin side got off to the worst possible start when a clearance kick, from the kick-off, was charged down by the home stand-off and dotted down over the line for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.
In the third minute, Moray were handed a penalty for a ruck infringement but Rory Millar narrowly missed the penalty kick from the 10-metre line.
Both sides had a real go at each other with big strong running, but defences stood firm and no ‘out-and-out’ scoring opportunities were created in the remainder of the first half, leaving the half-time lead at 7-0.
The Moray side had put a huge effort into their defensive display and after the break, the more experienced Grammar side continued to make the defence work hard.
In the 46th minute, the home side stretched the lead to 12-0 when they scored, a second unconverted try out wide following a quick tap penalty.
Moray were working hard but finding it difficult to make any real impression on the Grammar defence and six minutes later conceded a third, unconverted try, for 17-0.
The home side were in control and being aggressive and clinical at ruck time and in the 70th minute, added a fourth, and bonus point, unconverted try for 22-0.
Ball was turned over at a ruck in the visitors 22 and following a number of driving phases, the forwards made the line.
With around five minutes to the final whistle, ball was again turned over in the 22 and another unconverted score added for 27-0.
The Moray heads never went down and in the final five minutes of the match, they put in a huge effort, in the home 22, to try and make the line.
Strong scrummaging and hard running at the line over a number of phases came to an end when a suspicious hand in a ruck, turned ball over.
The home side ran the ball and Moray were unable to keep them out at the corner and they scored a final unconverted try for 32-0.
Grammar were delighted with their win, only their second in six games played this season.
Moray had stood up well to a team with a substantial number of players with experience in a league, five leagues above Caledonia North 2.
The scrummage and line-out had been solid and the first half defensive display was exemplary.
Unfortunately, the defensive effort of the first half could not be sustained throughout the second but they should hold their heads high having overall competed well against a more experienced side.
This Saturday, Grammar 2nds are scheduled to make the trip to Elgin for a re-match in the league.
