On Saturday Banff travelled down to play their final pre season game against Carnoustie. They belong to a league above Banff in Caledonia Division 1.

The pre season games were specially selected by coach Alan Elphinstone to give the team a challenge and an insight of what would be expected of them if they were in the league above.

The game was split into 20 minute quarters.

The first quarter saw Banff attacking in Carnoustie's half. With a Carnoustie line out that wasn't straight Banff won their scrum and Connor Riddell made a break. However this was not to be, with a penalty against Banff for not releasing the ball. Thom White managed to intercept one of Carnoustie's passes. The excitement was too much for Banff and resulted in another Carnoustie line out, which Banff successfully won. A kick seen Carnoustie win the ball. Banff's defence made them work for their first converted try.

With Carnoustie getting a buzz from the first try, they were determined to get another. Once Carnoustie gained possession of the ball, they weren't holding back. A driving maul took Carnoustie back to Banff's try line and luckily the ball was held up. A scrum was awarded to Carnoustie, their 10 was quickly stopped by a hard tackle from Ian Pashby. With Banff being offside Carnoustie was granted a line out and went for the driving maul again, Banff reacted quickly and produced a great defensive maul. With another try taken from them, Carnoustie were getting more determined to attack. A great tackle from Sean Clark, slowed their attack down a bit but this wasn't enough. With Carnoustie going over the line, Stuart Ferrier managed to hold the ball up. A Carnoustie scrum seen them go over the line to get a try in the last seconds of the first quarter.

The second quarter started quickly and saw Carnoustie's forwards ploughing through Banff to get their second converted try. After this Banff knew they had to step their game up. With a Banff scrum they proved they had stepped up and sent Carnoustie backwards. Carnoustie won the ball and mauled their way over Banff's try line for their third converted try. Banff won their scrum which was awarded as Carnoustie did not release the ball. The pressure was on for Carnoustie, with a chip over their defensive line, saw Grant Davidson racing after the ball. Again Banff dominated in the Carnoustie scrum, this gave Stuart Barron the boost to get the ball out to 10. A quick decision was made by Gordon Robertson to use the back moves practiced in training to get the ball through to Connor Riddell, who danced round the Carnoustie defence and offloaded to Angus Swan to take Banff over the try line for their first converted try. This took the score to 26-7.

The third quarter seen Liam Ross out onto the pitch for his first game. With Ben Collins winning the ball, Banff were making meters again. A line Banff line out was given and an unexpected interception was made by Carnoustie. Sadly Banff weren't quick enough to stop them and another converted try was awarded to Carnoustie. The ball began to make meters again in hands of Neil Murray and the ball went through many sets of hands and found its way to Ian Pashby and over the try line for Banff's second converted try. Carnoustie fought back quickly and with another interception went over Banff's try line. Again another try against Banff was held up, not for long though. Carnoustie were straight back and over the line for their fourth converted try. It was nearing the end of the 3rd quarter but by no means were Banff giving up. Andy McDonald took the ball on, giving the Carnoustie defence a rumble up, however the whistle was blown at the next breakdown as the quarter was over.

The final quarter was intense for both teams, the play was pretty much middle of the pitch for the majority of the quarter. Banff were getting bored of it and upped their attacking so that Carnoustie were back on their line. With Banff attacking full force it didn't take long for Ben Collins to go over the line with help from his teammates. Carnoustie again had decided that they wanted a final converted try before the end and went over Banff's line in the final minute bringing the score to 52-19.

The Banff men weren't disheartened by the score as it did not reflect the game. There was great rugby played and again more positives to take away from the game.

Banff shall be playing next on 27th August against Aberdeen Grammar 2nds at Duff House Grounds with a 3pm kick off.

Before that though, we will be welcoming ex Scotland international, previous British Lions player, Chris Paterson to the club on Thursday 25th August. For more details please contact the Facebook page- Banff Rugby Club- Scotland.

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