Moray Rugby Club have picked up their first away victory in Arnold Clark National Division 4 fixture.
They made the long bus journey to Greenock on Saturday and after a very good all round performance, returned up the A9 with a 31-0 victory.
A drive forward by Moray’s Ben Collins. Picture: James Officer
Kieran Jenkins scores the opening try. Picture: James OfficerLewis Hay breaks, supported by (from left) Ben Taylor, Cameron Ireland and Douglas Ireland. Picture: James OfficerCameron Hughes scores. Picture: James OfficerThe Moray defence looks to get off the mark quickly. Picture: James Officer
Although the home side started strongly, it was Moray who opened the scoring in the 12th minute. A penalty took them to a line, five metres out. Clean ball was taken and driven before being released wide allowing full-back Kieran Jenkins to pick a line and score an unconverted try.
Greenock tried to respond but the visitors’ defence was well-organised and gave no quarter.
In the 23rd minute, Moray added a second. A good passage of play took them deep into the 22. After a couple of drives for the line, scrum-half Cameron Ireland threw a long missed passed to centre Cameron Hughes coming at pace and at a great angle to drift through and score. Jenkins added the conversion for a 12-point lead.
In the final play of the half, the Elgin side stretched their lead further. A penalty took them to an attacking line, 15 metres out. Clean ball was taken, driven and then opened with wing Connor McWilliam coming into the line and breaking the defence to score. Jenkins added the extras for a 19-0 half time advantage for Moray.
Greenock started the second half brightly and spent a considerable part of the next 20 minutes pressing in the visitors half but exceptional defence halted any threat.
Kris Morrison takes on two defenders. Picture: James OfficerKieran Jenkins breaks with Connor McWilliam supporting. Picture: James OfficerA breakaway from Ben Taylor. Picture: James OfficerAn airborne Connor McWilliam goes over for Moray’s third try. Picture: James OfficerDouglas Ireland and Mark Taylor double tackle a Greenock player. Picture: James Officer
Moray weathered the storm and took back control of the game for the final 20 minutes.
In the 70th minute, they scored their fourth and the bonus point try. Douglas Ireland broke blind from a ruck around halfway and a couple of passes later, wing Lewis Hay received the ball with space to round the defence and score an unconverted try out wide – the gap was now 24 points.
To round off the afternoon and in the 78th minute, a final try was added. Ball was turned over on the home ten-metre line and quick hands saw the ball reach wing Euan Willetts who was strong enough to drive through the final couple of defenders to score out wide. Jenkins landed the difficult kick for a final score of 31-0 to Moray.
It had been a very solid all round defensive display which Greenock had not been able to break. In attack both forwards and backs look good with ball in hand and some very good tries had been scored.
This Saturday, Moray are again on league duty and play Whitecraigs at Morriston, kick-off 3pm.
Captain High MacRae brushes aside a defender. Picture: James OfficerLewis Hay scores Moray’s fourth try at Greenock. Picture: James OfficerLewis Small hands off the Greenock stand-off with Cameron Ireland in support. Picture: James OfficerEuan Willetts drives through the Greenock wing to score the final try. Picture: James Officer Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
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