PICTURES: Moray Rugby Club reach National Shield final at Murrayfield as Rory Millar’s late penalty seals comeback win over Linlithgow
A spirited comeback saw Moray defeat Linlithgow by 39 points to 37 with virtually the last kick of the match in this National Shield semi-final fixture at Morriston on Saturday.
Watch: Video highlights including all six Moray tries and the thrilling finale
Watch: Video interview with Moray player coach Cameron Hughes
On a blustery afternoon, Linlithgow kicked off with the elements in their favour. After only 18 minutes, they had taken a commanding lead at 0-17 having scored two converted tries after considerable pressure in the home 22 as well as landing a penalty.
In the 23rd minute, the Elgin side got themselves on the scoreboard. A number of drives for the line saw the East Region club concede three penalties. A drive for the line was set before the ball was delivered to centre Connor McWilliam coming at a great angle to burst between two defenders and score an unconverted try for 5-17.
Two minutes later, a knock-on in the 22 gave the visitors the platform to add another, unconverted try, for 5-22.
In the 29th minute, Linlithgow were back in the 22 at an attacking scrum. The No 8 picked and went blind before returning the ball back inside for a converted try and 5-29 lead.
Four minutes later, Moray replied. A quick tap penalty was taken close to the line and No 8 Neil Alexander drove for the line but set ruck in the tackle. Scrum-half Cameron Ireland moved the ball quickly wide and after a tap pass by McWilliam, Millar squeezed in at the corner for an unconverted try and 10-29.
The Elgin side leaked a penalty from the restart and the kick was landed for 10-32.
In the final play of the half, Moray progressed to an attacking line, 5 metres out. Clean ball was taken and a drive set, only to be stopped a metre short. The ball was moved to the backs and to centre Cameron Hughes who dummied and burst through the gap to score. Millar converted for a half-time score of 17-32.
It had been a strong half for the Linlithgow side but Moray had stuck in and had got back to a 15-point deficit having been 24 points down at one point. A big second half was needed to maintain their final dream.
The home side started the second half strongly and in the 48th minute, reduced the lead. A penalty in the 22 was quickly tapped and run by Alexander and he had the strength and guile to brush aside a number of defenders to score. Millar added the extras for 24-32.
Moray were now right back in it and continued to press but not quite completing.
In the 66th minute, another drive by Alexander was held up just short of the line but wing-forward Kris Morrison picked and with great body height drove under the defence and over the line. Millar converted to make it a single point game at 31-32.
From the restart, however, a Linlithgow wing-forward plucked the ball out of the air and managed to evade the clutches of any cover defence to score out wide. The conversion into the wind came up just short leaving the score at 31-37.
The game was still within a converted try and Moray returned immediately to the offensive. In the 74th minute and following a couple of penalties and a number of driving plays in the 22, the ball was moved wide through hands to wing Lewis Scott and he barged over the line out wide. Millar’s conversion drifted narrowly past the post leaving the score at 36-37.
The home side continued to press for a late score to win and a couple of minutes from time, they were awarded a penalty, midfield and around 35 metres out. Millar calmly stepped up and landed the kick to take the lead for the first time at 39-37.
In the final couple of minutes, Linlithgow tried hard to gain position to claw the game round but the Elgin side stood strong and the whistle went with Moray in the final at Murrayfield on Saturday April 27 to face Cumnock.
The sizeable crowd had been dished out an excellent game by two very good sides. The never-say-die attitude of the Moray team is incredible and having stuck in there in the first half, they dominated the second half on their way to the win.
This Saturday, there is another important match in the quest for promotion when they travel to Dundee with a need to come back with the points.