Banff RFC 41 50 Alloa RFC
Report by A Swan

Banff RFC produced a thrilling performance at Duff House to run Caledonia Division 1 side Alloa close in the Caledonia Shield on Saturday. Previously in games against Alloa, Banff have been comfortably beaten so this was a chance to make a marker against an Alloa side forced to travel North two weeks in a row.

Banff named a lineup full of pace, though perhaps lacking in size up front meaning that Scott Findlater and Euan Swan were named back rowers for the day. Banff were also delighted to see Mark Fullbrook return to the side to start on the wing.

It was Banff who started the brighter, and opened the scoring after Gordon Robertson gathered his own brilliantly weighted chip and held off the cover defenders with a neat try. He also increased the lead to 8-0 soon after with his first of five successful kicks. Banff were looking excellent in the first exchanges, with Stuart Ferrier and Ben Collins carrying well. However, a big hit from Nico Clark was adjudged to have been dangerous, meaning Clark had to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin.

In the ten minutes that followed, Alloa pressed their advantage and scored two fortuitous tries, the first after a charged down clearance kick, and the second with a chip and gather. To Alloa’s credit, they deserved the scores as they began to turn the screw. Banff responded with a try as Euan and Angus Swan combined, Euan driving over the line.

The next try was the pick of the bunch. Terrific hands from Euan Anderson sent Lewis Swan on a fantastic run down the wing, and support from Anderson set up Nico Clark to sprint over the line for a brilliant team try. Banff were now in the lead at half time and looking good for their lead. Banff continued to work hard, fighting in the rucks with good effort from Acklaw, Ross and man of the match Findlater.

The second half was another try fest, with both sides displaying different playing styles- Banff’s running game facing the massive power of the Alloa forwards and centres. Alloa took the lead but were pegged back after a darting run from the excellent Colin Dlugonski who hit Euan Swan on a short line to retake the lead. Alloa again took the lead but again were pulled back- the try this time another from Nico Clark with a great support line.

In the end, the contest was decided by the powerful Alloa pack who scored three tries in succession late on, one from a scrum, one from a charged down kick and one from a strong forward runner. Banff did respond with a good run from Collins but in truth the match was decided by that point.

At the end of the game, Director of Rugby John Smith-Warren commented on the excellent rugby but said that the defensive effort needs to improve for the next match- Garioch away.

Banff Team- Lippe, Ross, Ferrier, Clark, Collins, Acklaw, Findlater, E. Swan, Dlugonski, Robertson, Simpson, A. Swan, Anderson, Fullbrook, L. Swan. Subs- Morgan, Riddell

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