Moray 48 RAF Lossiemouth 27: Hard-fought derby match ends with success for hosts
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MORAY eventually ran out 48-27 winners after a physical and hard-fought derby encounter with RAF Lossiemouth in Caledonia Division 1 on Saturday.
Moray kicked off and, in the fifth minute, a high-tackle gave them the opportunity to put together a passage of play, deep in the 22.
When the ball was moved to stand-off Cameron Hughes, he chipped for the goal-line. Hooker Marc Higgins chased it down and was able to collect the high bouncing ball to score. Full-back Rory Millar added the conversion for 7-0.
Five minutes later and, after their first foray into the 22, the RAF scored an unconverted try for 7-5.
On the 15-minute mark, an overthrown Lossie line-out ball, 10 metres from their line, was gather by wing-forward Lewis Small and after a half break by Hughes followed by quick hands, the ball reached Millar on the wing with space to make the line. He converted for 14-5.
Three minutes later, the Elgin side were again in the 22. A break by Millar took him to a ruck, five metres out. A quick pass down the blind side reached wing Lewis Scott who broke the tackle to score a try converted by Millar for 21-5.
The RAF side were up for the fight and for a 10-minute spell they caused lots of problems defensively with their strong running and scored three similar driving tries, one of which was converted, to take the lead after 37 minutes at 21-22.
In virtually the final play of the half, the home side progressed to an attacking line, 18 metres out.
Ball was taken off the top and moved to Hughes who delayed the pass and picked out centre Connor McWilliam coming at a great angle to break the defence and score. Millar added the extras for a half-time score of 28-22.
Moray started the second half brightly but could not convert pressure in the 22. In a seven-minute spell around the 50-minute mark, the visitors were penalised twice for over-the-top at rucks, 20 metres out. On both occasions Millar stepped up and landed the penalties for 34-22.
In the 61st minute, the Elgin side won ball at a ruck in the visitor’s half and drove up the left flank to a ruck. The ball was moved wide to the right and Scott brushed off his opposite number to score. Millar added the extras for 41-22.
Six minutes later, the RAF side progressed through a penalty to an attacking line, 10 metres out. The ball was driven and then moved quickly wide where they found space to score an unconverted try for 31-27.
With only two minutes left on the clock, Moray scored the final try of the afternoon.
A scrum, 30 metres out midfield was cleanly taken and spun wide. In contact, it was again moved wide and this time Hughes took a great angle to break the defence and score under the posts. Millar converted for a final score of 48-27.
It had been a really physical and enthralling game of rugby. The try tally was 6-5 in favour of Moray highlighting the competitiveness of the game but Millar’s 100 per cent goal kicking made the difference.
This Saturday, Moray have a tough fixture away at Highland Seconds. Moray Seconds are also in Inverness to play Highland Thirds.
