Moray Rugby Club have victory snatched from their grasp after seven-hour trek to Castle Douglas to play Stewartry in Arnold Clark National League Division 4
Moray made the seven-hour bus journey to Castle Douglas through Storm Darragh last weekend and narrowly lost out to Stewartry in their latest Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixture.
Although there had been significant rainfall, the pitch was completely playable but the entire game was played in strong winds with gusts up to 50mph.
Moray kicked off with the wind at their backs and although they had a lot of early pressure in the opposition half, a combination of solid defence and unenforced errors kept the score blank.
In the 14th minute, the home side breached the defence and once behind, some slick handle took them over the goal-line out wide for an unconverted try and 5-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Stewartry progressed to a ruck, five metres from the line. The stand-off arrived first, picked up and broke blind to make the line for a second unconverted try and 10-0 lead.
This sparked the Elgin side into life and in the 23rd minute, they opened their account. Play progressed to deep in the 22 and after a number of strong drives for the line by the forwards, the ball was moved to centre Cameron Hughes who had the strength to brush off a couple of defenders and make the line. Stand-off Douglas Ireland added the conversion to reduce the home lead to three points.
Moray were now the dominant force and 5 minutes later, added a second. Following several forward drives for the line which were defended well, they moved the ball wide to wing Lewis Hay who had just enough space to make the line. Ireland added the extras and Moray were in front.
In the 31st minute, the visitors were back in the 22 again, driving for the line. After a number of phases, the ball was moved to Ireland and he stepped past two defenders to score under the posts. He added the conversion for a half-time score of 21-10 to the visitors.
The wind was now with the home side and in the 44th minute, the Elgin side conceded a penalty which was kicked to reduce their advantage.
Stewartry were pressing but the Moray defence was up for it. In the 57th minute, however, they conceded a penalty in kicking range and the score narrowed further.
In the 65th minute, some good continuity play by the home side saw one of their second-row break free and drive over the line for a converted try to take the lead at 23-21.
Six minutes later, Moray responded. They forced their way into the 22 where a penalty for a high tackle was given. The ball was despatched to a line-out, five metres out. Clean ball was taken and a drive set with hooker Marc Higgins with hands on the ball at the back. The drive took them over the line and the ball placed by Higgins for an unconverted try to retake the lead at 23-26.
Stewartry pressed in the final minutes and although the visitors defended resolutely, three minutes from time they scored the winning converted try although there was a big question over the final pass being forward. The try was given, however, for a final score of 30-26.
It had been a very competitive game played in extremely difficult conditions and one which was nip-and-tuck, only to be decided in the final minutes. Even though Moray were disappointed, particularly at giving away two early preventable tries, they returned up the road having secured two points from a try bonus and a loss bonus.
This Saturday, North Berwick are visitors to Morriston for a league encounter.
