PICTURES: Moray Rugby Club topple Caledonia League Division 1 leaders Aberdeenshire with stunning Morriston victory
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An excellent defensive display was the catalyst for a solid 32 point to 12 victory against Aberdeenshire in the top of Caledonia League Division 1 clash at Morriston last Saturday. The victory saw Moray leapfrog their Aberdeen opponents to top spot.
In the third minute, the Elgin side took the lead when full-back Rory Millar landed a penalty for 3-0.
The blustery wind was making line-out throwing difficult and put paid to a couple of home opportunities before they managed to cross the line in the 20th minute. Ball was won down the right side of the park and moved through hands to centre Connor McWilliam. He delayed the pass, drew the defence before releasing the ball to prop Mark Taylor to go for the line before calmly stepping inside the last defender to score. Millar added the extras for 10-0.
Aberdeenshire tried to respond with hard running by their big forwards but the Moray defence stood strong.
In the final minute of the half, the Elgin side scored a second try. Following a driving forwards play through the middle, the ball was quickly moved wide through hands to wing Ewan Simpson to make the line out wide for a half-time score of 15-0.
The visitors started the second half strongly but the defence gave no quarter.
In the 46th minute, Moray turned defence into attack with a break up the right where an offside penalty was given.
After kicking for the corner and securing line-out ball, the ball was moved left and then right to create the overlap for wing Lewis Scott to score. Millar added the extras for 22-0.
Four minutes later, Aberdeenshire scored an unconverted try after a period of driving for the line, reducing the lead to 22-5.
The visitors tried hard to reduce the lead further but could not break the defensive line.
A Shire forward was yellow carded for deliberately killing the ball at a ruck and around the 70th minute mark, two home players were also yellow carded in quick succession for high tackles.
In the 76th minute, Aberdeenshire scored following an uncontested scrum, a circumstance of the yellow cards.
With the score now at 22-12, the visitors had at least a bonus point, if not a win, within reach but they leaked a penalty, 20 metres out. Millar slotted the kick for 25-12 to give some breathing space.
Moray were not finished there and had a bonus point in mind. In the final phases of the game, the visitors were penalised on several occasions within their 22 as the Elgin side went for the line.
One big final effort was required and McWilliam took the ball to the defence before returning the ball back inside to put wing-forward David Clarke into the gap and force his way over the line to dot the ball down for the try. Millar converted for a final score of 32-12.
It had been a good all-round display by the Moray team built round very good defence. They also benefitted by playing to the final whistle and securing a bonus point to give a one point lead in the league. Moray still have a game in hand with only two games remaining to complete the North element of the league season. These games are at home to Ellon on the 13th January and away to Caithness on the 20th January.
