Moray defeated 70-19 by a rampant Strathmore side as Forfar outfit complete flawless league campaign
Moray were beaten 70-19 by 2024-25 Arnold Clark National League Division 4 Champions Strathmore - who completed a flawless league campaign in the process.
The Forfar side completed their league campaign having won 16 out of 16 matches and will gain promotion to National 3.
The very big Strathmore side kicked off and scored two converted tries early doors playing a very physical and direct brand of rugby.
Moray were defending manfully and came more and more into the game. In the 28th minute, they responded.
A forceful drive by second-row Jake Devlin saw him get past a couple of defenders before offloading to centre Cameron Hughes to score under the posts. Full-back Rory Millar added the conversion for 7-14.
The Elgin side pressed to narrow the lead further but on the cusp of half-time they leaked a further converted try for a half-time score of 7-21.
In a five-minute spell immediately after the restart, the Forfar side dominated and scored three further tries through strong direct running for a 7-42 lead.
Moray were finding it hard to secure good ball and when they did, the visitors’ defence was forceful and thwarted opportunities.
Three more converted tries were added midway through the half for 7-63 before the home side added a second.
Pressure in the 22 saw wing Connor McWilliam drive for the line only to be stopped a metre out. Quick ruck ball was moved wide to flanker Fergus Nicol who made the line for an unconverted try and 12-63.
Moray pressed with the only goal being four tries and a bonus point and in the 75th minute, they added their third.
Driving play in the 22 was thwarted on a number of occasions but the ball was moved to Hughes and his deft kick into the corner and over the line saw Millar rise, gather and score. He converted for 19-63.
In the final five minutes, they were not able to create a good opportunity to try to secure that bonus point and in the last play, the Forfar side scored a final converted try for 19-70.
This Saturday, Moray will look to put this result behind them when they take on Greenock Wanderers at Morriston in their penultimate game of the season. Kick-off is 3pm.