Moray woes continue as they are still looking for first win after heavy defeat against Kilmarnock
National Four
Moray 24
Kilmarnock 73
Moray are still looking for their first win of the season as they were well beaten by Kilmarnock in their latest Arnold Clark National Division Four fixture at Morriston.
It was a game of two halves, however, with Moray having the better of the first half with Kilmarnock taking total control of the second half.
The Elgin side kicked off and immediately put the visitors under pressure on their own line.
After several phases of driving for the line, second-row John Westmacott went over for the try. Full-back Rory Millar added the conversion for 7-0.
Moray continued to press and were again putting together driving phases at the line but a loose pass was intercepted and the wing ran the length of the field for an unconverted try and reduce the lead to 7-5.
In the 16th minute, the home side stretched the lead when after a number of driving phases for the line, hooker Thomas Barnett made the line. Millar added the extras for 14-5. A penalty in the 20th minute reduce the lead to 14-8.
Moray returned to the offensive and in the 25th minute, after a good break down the right wing by Blair Garrick, two quick passes saw scrum-half Iain Stuart reach the line for the score. Millar converted stretching the lead to 21-8.
Kilmarnock replied with two tries in a three minute period, created by line breaks close by rucks, narrowing the lead to 21-20.
An offside penalty in the 36th minute allowed Millar to land the kick for a half-time lead of 24-20.
The early part of the second half was fairly even but when in the 56th minute the East Ayrshire side took the lead, they went on to dominate the final part of the game, playing some good flowing and inter passing rugby and scoring almost at will. In this period they added six tries.
The Elgin side rallied and tried hard to get at least a bonus point for four tries but on the couple of occasions that they threatened the line, unenforced errors put pay to the opportunities.
The visitors added two final breakaway tries to wrap up a 49-point victory.
After the final whistle Moray President Fraser Andrews presented a trophy to winners Kilmarnock in memory of Moray ex President and Kilmarnock native Billy Adams who sadly passed in 2023. This trophy will now be played for on any occasion the teams contest.
This Saturday, Moray make the long trip to Castle Douglas to take on Stewartry in the league.