Moray Rugby Club lose out to Arnold Clark National Division 4 leaders Ardrossan Academicals at Morriston

Moray Rugby Club found league leaders Ardrossan Academicals too tough a nut to crack on Saturday.

Looking to build on a fine start to their Arnold Clark National League Division 4 fixture, Moray welcomed the high-flying Ayrshire side to Morriston.

The home side kicked off and in the fifth minute were handed a penalty in the 22 for not rolling away at the breakdown. Centre Connor McWilliam landed the kick for a 3-0 lead.

In the 12th minute, they stretched the lead. A break by No 8 Neil Alexander took them into the 22. The ball was recycled to centre Cameron Hughes and his deft kick for the corner was regathered by full-back Alex Hendrickse who pirouetted and scored an unconverted try for 8-0

Five minutes later, a huge kick by the visiting stand-off returned Moray to their 22 where a loose pass hit the ground. The Ardrossan wing got to the ball first, picked up and scored a converted try under the posts for 8-7.

The Elgin side conceded a number of penalties in the next period of the game and the Ardrossan stand-off put pressure on by despatching these to touch near the goal-line. In the 29th minute, from such a situation, they scored. Clean ball was taken at a line, five metres out and the ensuing drive took them over the line for an unconverted try.

Moray returned to the offensive but a couple of knock-ons in the 22 stifled the chances. In the 38th minute, however, they were handed a penalty in the 22 for a high tackle. McWilliam slotted the kick as Moray trailed 12-11 at the interval.

The home side started the second half strongly and following a number of penalties forced their way to a scrum, 5-metres out. With a yellow card handed out for persistent penalties, Moray drove the scrum over the line and Alexander dotted down first an unconverted try and a 16-12 lead.

In the 65th minute, the Elgin side gave away a penalty for hands in the ruck and once again found themselves defending an attacking line, five metres out. Clean line was taken and driven over the line for a converted try and regain the lead to restore a three-point lead for the away club.

Five minutes later, a huge up-and-under was knocked-on and the following up Ardrossan winger regathered the ball and made the line for a unconverted try, taking the score to 16-24.

This Moray side have great character and they set about trying to turn the score around. In the 68th minute and after some good continuity play, the ball was spun wide in the 22 and unfortunately the last pass went awry with the line beckoning.

With Moray trying to run the ball from anywhere on the park, the North Ayrshire side put a big shift in on defence to keep to keep play in the opposing half. In the final play, they managed to put gloss on the score-line when they scored an unconverted try out wide for a final score of 16-29.

Ardrossan were elated with their victory on the road and the Moray side were a bit deflated as they knew that they had not been at their best, making too many unforced errors and giving away too many penalties allowing the visitors good field position to capitalise.

The next league fixture is on Saturday November 23 when second-placed Strathmore visit Morriston, kick-off 2pm.