Moray Rugby Club defeat Dunfermline in opening home match in Arnold Clark National League Division 4 match at Morriston
Moray Rugby Club were victorious in their first national league match played at their Morriston home.
The Elgin side lost narrowly at Strathmore in their National League Division 4 opener, and played host to Dunfermline on Saturday - the Fifers won their opening match 50-0.
In a close and pulsating encounter, Moray claimed a 33-31 success.
Dunfermline immediately put the home side under pressure and took the lead when they scored a converted try after a flowing move.
In the 12th minute, and against the run of play, Moray managed to hit back. From a steal at a line-out around the halfway, Mark Taylor made his trademark rumble up field, until halted 15 metres out. The ball was spread right then back inside for Hughes to use his strength and low centre of gravity to burst through tacklers to score near the posts. Rory Millar made light work of the conversion, to tie things up at 7-7.
Moray grew in confidence forcing the visitors onto the back foot. But this was dented in the 25th minute when the Fifers retook the lead through an unconverted try.
The home side lost Millar to an ankle injury shortly afterwards, and a few minutes later Dunfermline stretched the lead to 7-19 when they scored a third converted try.
With half-time approaching, a penalty kick took Moray close to the line. Ball was secured and driven towards the line and when the visitors pulled down the maul, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try for a half-time score of 14-19.
Early in the second half, a searing break by wing Lewis Hay and a number of forward drives took them deep into the 22 and a quick pass from Cameron Hughes to Hay only a few metres out, was all he needed to squeeze in at the corner. Replacement kicker Kieran Jenkins converted for a 21-19 lead.
Dunfermline responded by taking a 21-24 lead in the 51st minute following an individual bit of kicking magic by their scrum-half.
Within five minutes, Moray again responded and scored their fourth, the bonus point try. Hay again created havoc in the defence and following a number of subsequent close-quarter exchanges, the ball reached back-row Finnley Cameron who swivelled and under heavy tackle pressure, near the touch-line, managed to dot the ball down for an unconverted try and 26-24.
The home side crucially struck again in the 67th minutes. An excellent penalty kick from Jenkins, to 10 metres from the opponents’ line, then a solid lineout by the forwards, gave a platform for the ball to reach Connor McWilliam in the centre. He deftly sidestepped and cruised in to score under the posts for a converted try and 33-24.
With 10 minutes remaining, a quick tap provided the visitors an opportunity to score a converted try narrowing the lead to 33-31.
Dunfermline pressed but Moray held strong and tackled well in the final minutes and were able to close the game out for a creditable 33-31 victory against a very good visiting side.
It had been an enthralling affair from start to finish, with a great deal of high-quality attack and defensive play from both sides. Moray were not put off by a blistering start from the visitors and that resilience will be required at this higher level, as there will not be any easy games. The forwards fronted up well, against an imposing pack and the backs continue to provide a real threat in attack.
League business continues this week when Stewartry make the long journey from Castle Douglas to Elgin on Saturday. They have yet to get off the mark in this campaign, but in no way will this be taken lightly by the Moray outfit. Kick-off 3pm at Morriston Playing Fields.
