Moray overcome Shetland to make it 12 wins in a row in Tennent’s Caledonia North Region League Division 2
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Moray continued their unbeaten run and were 41 points to 19 winners against a very spirited Shetland team at Morriston last weekend in their latest Tennent’s Caledonia North Region League Division 2 fixture.
Shetland kicked-off and dominated the opening phases of the game but in the 8th minute, the home side took the lead. Following a popping and passing move from inside their own half, Hooker Marc Higgins received the final pass and made the line. Full-back Rory Millar added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
In the 14th minute, the home side coughed up ball in their 22 and following a number of driving phases, the islanders scored a converted try to level the score an 7-7.
Six minutes later, Moray regained the lead. A penalty, 10 metres from the line, was quickly tapped and moved wide to centre Cameron Hughes who spun in the tackle and drove over the line for an unconverted try and 12-7.
In the 23rd minute, they stretched the lead. From good ruck ball, the ball was spun wide to Millar who went for the line only to be stopped a couple of metres short. He was able to offload to supporting wing Lewis Hay who beat the last man to score an unconverted try for 17-7.
Shetland reduced the lead to 17-12 in the 31st minute when they too scored an unconverted try from a quick tap penalty.
The home side finished the first half strongly and in the final four minutes scored two further tries for a 27-12 half time lead. The first was scored after a strong forwards drive and a couple of phases of back play saw Millar receive the ball, step inside and score.
The second emanated from a drive and continuity play by the forwards up the middle of the pitch which set ruck deep in the 22. The ball was then moved quickly wide to Hughes to score his second.
Shetland started the second half well with some strong running by both forwards and backs but the home side defended well and thwarted any threat.
In the 60th minute and somewhat against the run of play, the Elgin side extended the lead. A big tackle on a visiting player spilled ball in midfield. Marc Higgins prodded the loose ball forward and Hay responded it down. He got there first, picked up and ran round outside the sole defender to score under the posts, his second. Millar added the conversion for 34-12.
Ten minutes later, the islanders scored a third try when they pounced on spilled ball in midfield which created the space to score a couple of phases later. The try was converted for 34-19.
In the 75th minute, a penalty kick to touch took Moray to an attacking line, 12 metres out. Clean ball was taken off the top and moved quickly wide. Centre Connor McWilliam picked a great line, broke the defence and scored under the posts. Millar added the conversion for 41-19.
Shetland tried hard in the last 5 minutes to get a try bonus point but the home defence stood strong for a final score of 41-19.
Moray had come up against a determined Shetland side who ran at them at every opportunity. The defensive display of the home side was impressive as was the clinical way they finished off the opportunities when in attack.
There is no league fixture this weekend due to the Six Nations but Moray are at home next Saturday (18th) to Gordonians 2nds, kick-off 3pm.
