Gordonians Seconds 28 Moray 29: Last-gasp win for Moray in Aberdeen
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MORAY came through a close-fought match in Aberdeen to defeat Gordonians Seconds 29-28 in the Tennent's Caledonia North Region League Division 2 on Saturday.
Moray trailed until five minutes from time, before a Lewis Scott try, which was converted, sealed a dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Gordonians Seconds got off to a great start and took a 7-0 lead when they put together a number of phases following a knock-on in their 22.
Three minutes later, Moray replied. A goal-line drop-out from the home side was gathered and moved wide left to a ruck. Clean ball was moved quickly right to full-back Rory Millar who had the space to make the line for an unconverted try and 7-5.
The Elgin side pressed in the opposition half and, in the 21st minute, they were awarded a penalty, which was dispatched to an attacking line, five metres out.
Ball was taken and driven to a ruck before being moved to centre Connor McWilliam who returned the ball back inside to wing Lewis Scott coming at a great angle to split the defence and score an unconverted try for 10-7.
Four minutes later, Moray were in attack in the 22 but stand-off Cameron Ireland’s pass was intercepted by the home wing to run the length of the field and score. A poor conversion drifted past the post leaving the score at 12-10.
From the restart, the Elgin side regathered the ball and drove to a ruck deep in the 22. The ball was quickly moved wide and wing Lewis Hay made the line out wide for a third unconverted try and 12-15 lead.
The visitors continued to press but, in the 34th minute, Gordonians broke into the opposition half and were handed a penalty, on the 22, for hands in the ruck. The penalty was landed for 15-15, the half-time score.
Moray kicked the second half off and the ball was gathered by the Aberdeen side's number eight who ran straight back and through the defence. He was halted in the 22 but offloaded to the support to score, a try converted for 22-15.
Three minutes later, the Elgin side replied again. Prop Mark Taylor received crash ball in his own half, broke the first tackle and made ground into the 22 before being halted.
He set ball at a ruck which was quickly moved left to Scott to make the line for the bonus point try. Millar converted to tie the scores at 22-22.
Moray were not satisfying the referees view of a legal ‘turnover’ at a ruck and in a five-minute spell gave away two penalties, both 25 metres out. The kicks were slotted to give the home side a 28-22 lead.
The Elgin side pressed hard but it was not until the 75th minute that they broke the defence.
Attacking in the Aberdeen side's half, prop Chris Robottom received ball and made a break through the defence before passing to second-row Alex Matthews who also made good ground.
In the tackle he cleverly offloaded to the supporting Scott who gathered the ball and made the line for his third try of the afternoon. Millar calmly stepped up and landed the conversion kick for a 28-29 lead.
The home side tried hard in the final minutes but the Moray defence stood firm for the win.
This Saturday, Moray will play against Ellon in the National Shield at Morriston. This will be another hard test as the Aberdeenshire side sit joint top of Caledonia Division 1. Kick-off is 3pm.
