PICTURES: Moray Rugby Club promoted to National Division 4 after defeating Panmure to lift the Caledonia Division 1 title at Morriston
Moray Rugby Club secured promotion to the national leagues on Saturday after a resounding 68-5 victory over Panmure at Morriston.
They picked up the Caledonia Division 1 crown after making it four wins out of four in their play-offs group, and will now be promoted to National Division 4 - a fitting end to a very special season for the club.
The Broughty Ferry side kicked-off but within a minute, they were 7-0 down. Moray drove hard up the middle to the 22 and a ruck. Ball was moved wide to centre Connor McWilliam who dummied and made ground before releasing wing Ben Taylor to score. Full-back Rory Millar landed the conversion.
In the ninth minute, good driving and offloading play by prop Mark Taylor and wing-forward Kris Morrison took the home side back to a ruck in the 22. The ball was opened to Millar who made ground before being tackled but he was able to offload to supporting scrum-half Cameron Ireland who had a clear route to the line. Millar added the extras for 14-0.
Panmure rallied and became more competitive but were expending a lot of energy in holding the Elgin side at bay.
Pressure told and in the 35th minute, Moray added another. A clearance kick was fielded by Millar and he ran it back to a ruck. Quick ball saw stand-off Douglas Ireland put No 8 Neil Alexander into the gap and through to score. Millar added the conversion for a half-time score of 21-0.
The Elgin side start the second half with great intent and in the 46th minute, a powerful run by hooker Marc Higgins took him to a ruck a metre short of the line. Ball was moved through hands to wing Euan Willetts who made the line out wide for an unconverted bonus point try and 26-0.
Pressure continued and in a five-minute spell around the 50 minute mark, two further tries were added. The first came from an attacking scrum 5 where Alexander picked up at the base and released Millar to score. The second saw Willetts score his second from a simple backs ‘through the hands’ move after another storming forwards drive into the 22. Millar added both conversions for 40-0.
In the 59th minute, an intercepted pass gave Panmure an opportunity which after a number of drives they managed to make the line for an unconverted try and 40-5.
The home side returned to the offensive and three minutes later, they extended the lead. A attacking line in the 22 was taken and driven. A number of drives followed before a planned ‘missed pass’ move saw McWilliam take ball and score. Millar added the extras for 47-5.
The Broughty Ferry side were visibly tiring and Moray piled the pressure on scoring three final tries in the last 10 minutes.
Firstly, Willetts scored his third try of the afternoon by rounding the last line of defence when ball was moved wide to him following a turn over in the 22.
Second-row Hugh MacRae then got his name on the scoresheet when he powerfully drove over the line after another turn over in the 22 and some good driving and handling play.
Finally, an attack down the right side was set and then moved wide left to prop John Westmacott who, when tackled just short of the line, was able to keep the ball alive returning it inside to fellow prop Fraser Ireland to score. Millar added all three conversions for a final score of 68-5.
The Caledonia League Division 1 winners cup was presented at the end of the game to the delight of the players, coaches and all supporters.
Having won the Caledonia North title last season, they made their way to the Caledonia 1 title by finishing top of the North Conference, winning 10 out of 12 fixtures and being unbeaten in the play-offs against Midland sides.
It has been a long season and the players will now enjoy a well earned rest over the next few months before taking up the National 4 challenge.
