Moray Rugby Club defeat Hamilton in Arnold Clark National Division 4 match switched to Kinloss due to the weather
Moray were 40 points to 17 winners over Hamilton last Saturday in their latest Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixture.
The frost at Morriston forced the game to be moved to Kinloss and issues with the Hamilton bus en route meant that the game was delayed to 3pm.
Moray started off brightly and spent the bulk of the first quarter in the visitor’s half but could not convert the opportunities that they created. In the 24th minute and against the play, Hamilton opened their account when they scored an unconverted try out wide for 0-5.
Three minutes later, the Elgin side responded. A line was taken against the throw on the 22 and after a drive and set, the ball was moved to hooker Marc Higgins who brushed aside three defenders on his way to scoring under the posts. Wing Rory Millar added the conversion to take the lead at 7-5.
The game had become much more competitive and in the 31st minute, the Glasgow side regained the lead at 7-10 when they scored a second unconverted try.
Two minutes from half-time, the Elgin side scored their second. Following a line-out, 10 metres out and a subsequent penalty, they put together a number of phases driving at the line. The ball was then quickly moved to centre Connor McWilliam, at pace and a great angle, and he broke the defensive line to score. Millar added the extras for a half-time score of 14-10.
Moray started the second-half on the front foot and in the 48th minute stretched the lead. A penalty took them to an attacking line, six metres out. Clean ball was taken, driven and set. The ball was moved to stand-off Blair Garrick and his delayed pass picked out full-back Kieran Jenkins coming at pace to break the line and score. Millar added the conversion for 21-10.
The home side continued to press and wing-forward Kris Morrison crossed the line but was adjudged to have knocked on.
In the 65th minute, Moray added their bonus point try. Some good handling and continuity play took them into the 22. Following a number of drives for the line, the ball reached wing-forward Todd Johnson and he broke a couple of tackles to score. Millar added the extras for 28-10.
The Elgin side were in control and in the 72nd minute, and in attack in the 22, stand-off Cameron Hughes prodded the ball towards the goal line. Millar followed up, got his hands on the ball before the defender and made the line for an unconverted try and 33-10.
Four minutes from time a 50/22 from Hughes put Moray to an attacking line, five metres out. The line was cleanly taken and Morrison broke from the back and had the strength to make the line. Millar added the conversion for 40-10.
In the final minutes of the game and with the Elgin side attacking from within their own half, a loose pass midfield was intercepted and a converted try was run in for a final score of 40-17.
It had been a good all round display by the Moray side. Although they had started brightly, they stayed calm when Hamilton twice took the lead and managed to take a half-time lead with two good tries. In the second half they dominated the play and scored four further tries to comfortably win the game.
This Saturday, Stewartry visit Morriston for the next league fixture. An early kick-off has been requested by the Castle Douglas side and kick-off is therefore 11am.
