MATCH REPORT

BANFF RFC 17 - GRANGEMOUTH RFC 16

Banff braved the cold and snow on Saturday at Duff House playing the only game in the North of Scotland due to all other games being postponed because of the wintry weather. Banff hosted Grangemouth in a Home return leg looking to improve from the away defeat to them at the start of the season.

Banff came out strong from the start with a heated determination to warm up the bitter conditions. Within five minutes Banff put the points down first with a strong determined run over the line from centre Pete Legge with captain Gordon Robertson taking the full 7 points with his conversion. Grangemouth came back at Banff with some strong attack play and levelled the score line after 15 mins and 8 mins later converted a penalty to put them in the lead 7-10.
Five minutes before halftime Banff levelled the score line once again with a converted penalty by Gordon Robertson leaving it all square after 40 minutes.
The second half brought more of the same. A physical game in between snow showers with the understandable high number of handling errors put the scrum count into double figures quickly into the second half and the forwards putting in a huge effort and not giving up in their efforts. Ten minutes into the second half Grangemouth converted a penalty to put them 10-13 ahead.
Grangemouth piled on the pressure with a long spell of attacking game in the 22 area with some missed opportunities by the visitors to extend the lead. Banff utilised an opportunity on the 60th minutes with full back Angus Swan intercepting a pass from Grangemouth and running 3/4 of the pitch to score a great individual try and Gordon Robertson converting the try to put the home side in the lead 17-13.
Grangemouth not a team to accept defeat carried on with the pressure and Banff defending the attack and taking opportunities to get the ball out of the danger area when possible. A successfully converted penalty in the 75 min to Grangemouth put the score line within in one point. The final five minutes came with a flurry of energy with both teams keen to secure the win. At the final whistle Banff secured the win with a 17-16 scoreline their first win of the Caledonia League One campaign and will be keen to develop from this win in the second half of the season after the Christmas break.

Special mention to Man of the Match hooker Liam Ross and our match day and match ball sponsors Carloch Joinery and David McDonald Plumbing. Thanks to the supporters braving the cold to support the team, the bar and kitchen staff and to Grangemouth taking the long journey North.

Banff now have a League break till the 6th January where we take the long trip North to play Caithness.

Banff are continually looking for new players of all ages for both men’s and ladies teams and of all abilities. Get in contact through Facebook for more information. Our winter training sees us training at MacDuff Community and Sports Centre 4G pitch on Wednesday’s 19.30-21.30 and at Duff House on Thursdays for the men’s team and Tuesdays for the ladies team 19.00-21.00.