The opening exchanges in this local derby were fairly even with both sides attempting to play running rugby, despite the frosty conditions, but a lapse in concentration in the centre of the Alloa defence, after half an hour’s play allowed the home side an easy score under the posts.
With only 5 minutes remaining in the half, Alloa bounced back from this setback as Alan Keir took an excellent catch midway through the opposition half and this time it was the home sides turn to drop off tackles as the pacey Fullback outstripped the despairing defence to score out wide. Keir expertly kicked over the resultant conversion from the touchline.
Alloa would have been hoping to keep the scoreline level at the turnaround with so little time remaining, but were temporarily reduced to 14 men when young Second Row, Lewis Mcintyre, was rather unlucky to receive a yellow card for not retreating at a penalty and the home side took advantage of their superior numbers when they drove over from a line out on the Alloa 5 metre line.
Alloa believed that they were still in this game as they turned around at Half Time 12-7 down, but as has been the case too often this season the second half performances have not been living up to the promise shown in the first 40 minutes of matches.
In fairness, they had to contend with a number of injuries when firstly, Brian ireland had to leave the park with a rib injury after being on the receiving end of a cynical off the ball tackle. Winger, Myles Hynd was next to leave the play before being promptly joined on the sidelines by Stevie Scott and Michael Doig.
Whilst these enforced changes did not help the visitors cause, they can take nothing away from a strong Grangemouth performance as they duly ran in 5 second half tries for a deserved bonus point win which takes them up to second position in the league and they will undoubtedly be in the mix when the end of season silverware is dished out.
Alloa have no fixture this Saturday, but are attempting to bring forward next week’s scheduled home league fixture against Fife Southern to avoid a clash with the Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham.

The 2nd XV match away to Crieff was a casualty of the inclement weather, but they return to action this Saturday with a home fixture against Arbroath. 2pm KO.