Big wins for Hillfoots sides

The Rams made the short journey across the Forth to local rivals Grangemouth on Saturday.

The opening exchanges were pretty even with the Rams pacey backline showing glimpses of their latent potential against much bigger opponents. It was Grangemouth who opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a converted try.

The Rams responded by upping the pace of the game and were asking questions of the Stags defence.

With the Stag’s defence holding firm it was a fine solo effort from Callan McSherry who got the Rams on the scoreboard when he made a strong run from his own half and scored a great try out wide.

The Stags then really took the game by the scruff of the neck and dominated the rest of the first half scoring another four tries and a conversion to give them a healthy lead going into the break.

The second half was only a few minutes old when the Stags scored another unconverted try which effectively killed the game off as a contest. With their pride now at stake the Rams picked themselves up and started to win some useful possession.

It was now the Stag’s turn to defend and it was against the run of play when they scored a breakaway try. Going into the final quarter it was the Rams who were on top and their efforts were rewarded with a try scored by Mark McKinnon and another two tries and a conversion from Callan McSherry.

Congratulations to the Stags on their win and a Thank you for their excellent post-match hospitality. Credit to the Rams who came back and salvaged a lot pride against a strong Stags side that were determined to put them to the sword.

The Rams welcome Glenrothes RFC to Tillicoultry next Saturday.

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Morgan 1st XV........6
Hillfoots 1st XV.....33
BT Caledonia League, Division 2 Midlands

After the disappointment of having last week's fixture cancelled at the eleventh hour, the Hillfoots 1st XV were back in action on Saturday with their next League fixture away to Morgan Academy FP RFC.

Foots' started the more positive of the two teams with the first quarter of the contest being played wholly in the Morgan 22m area

 A sustained period of attack was met with some tigerish defence from the home team who, without the burden of scrummaging, were able to utilise their forwards to keep up their defensive energies but also never really ran out of defenders with backrowers loosely bound to defensive scrums.

This, unfortunately, was a trend that was to continue throughout the remainder of the game with Foots gaining no real advantage through their forward salvos and no real pace to their attack resulting directly from static scrums.

Foots did however manage to put a number of positive phases together and eventually were rewarded for good patience on the ball and score out wide, converted to take 7-0 lead.

A messy kickoff receipt resulted in Morgan gaining their only access to of the first 30mins into Foots' 22 and accepted the 3 points gained through a well taken penalty goal.

A knock on from the ensuing kickoff saw Foots well placed to execute of an attacking scrum but once again with no pressure being exerted and a defensive back row not committed the ball was spilt and Morgan were able to capitalise on a defensive error to land the last of their scoreboard contributions for the game. 7-6.

Foots' did manage to end the half strongly and exploited a hole in the home team's defensive line to take a well deserved score, unconverted and a 12-6 lead into the HT break.

The 2nd half continued precisely as the 1st stanza with Foots' offering plenty on attack for little reward as the disappointment of uncontested scrums and an opposition pack never tiring as a consequence.

As the rain continued to fall Foots did find some rhythm and through some sustained pressure and well executed phase play managed two scores in quick succession to take a 26-6 lead moving into the final quarter.

To their credit, Morgan did play the conditions well and were clever in taking full advantage of the lack of scrummaging. They did, at times show some real resolve and tenacity in defence but also some good touches on attack.

These were rewarded with a spell of 5mins spent on the Hillfoots goalline and although they came very close to a score the Foots' defensive effort was good and they were denied the try opportunities they did so well to create.

With clock winding down Foots secured a turnover and pieced some enterprising counter attack play together to score the final points of the game.

Thanks go to Morgan, their passionate supporters and outstanding hospitality for what was ultimately an good day out for Hillfoots.

Congratulations must also go the referee for the way in which he managed the game under very difficult situations and his efforts to get the game flowing with uncontested scrums in place were very much appreciated.

The team look forward to welcoming the Stags to Tillicoultry Park next weekend for what promises to be another fantastic day of club rugby.