Match report V Garioch

Alloa began the second half of their league campaign with a well deserved and morale boosting six try victory over Garioch at Earlsfield.

The Alloa squad as selected had a stronger feel to it with key forwards Gary Taylor and Michael Doig back in the starting line-up. Both players were to make a big contribution during the eighty minutes.

Alan Keir opened the scoring for Alloa when he latched on to a perfectly flighted cross-kick by Martin McKenzie. Lee Cairney added the conversion. There was brief concern as the home side immediately gifted an equalising try when they threw out an interception pass while trying to work their way out of the 22 metre area. Lee Cairney steadied the ship when he nudged Alloa ahead from a long range penalty and then the home side went up a gear or two to stretch their lead. Firstly an overlap was created for Marc Murray to dot down in the right corner then Michael Doig found a gap in the Garioch defence and reached over for his side's third try.

Any hopes of a Garioch comeback pretty much disappeared when one of their forwards was red carded late in the half after a brief flare-up between the two packs.

HT Alloa 20 Garioch 7

The second half was very much about if or when Alloa would get the bonus point. As things transpired the home fans didn't have to wait overly long as Lee Cairney finished off some nice interplay between backs and forwards. As the half progressed Kris Aitken and Rab Truesdale became more influential in unlocking Garioch's stubborn defence and Marc Murray was again to benefit with a second clear run to the line for try number five. Murray, to the delight of the home touchline, completed his hat-trick and Alloa's scoring for the day when he outpaced his opposite number in chasing down a well judged kick into the in-goal area.

Alloa have a break this weekend as Scotland's defence of the Calcutta Cup takes centre stage, returning to action on the 15th Feb away to Grangemouth.