Dyce 22, Ross Sutherland 37
ROSS Sutherland looked to get their bowl campaign off to a winning start last Saturday with a tricky round one away fixture against Dyce RFC.
Ross Sutherland were semifinalists in last year's bowl competition but it was a much changed young side that headed down to Dyce on the back of the previous weekend's 24-13 loss to Moray in the league.
The game kicked off in dry and sunny conditions with a slight breeze. With just three minutes played, Ross took the lead with an assured penalty from scrum half John Mann. The visitors did not have to wait long for the first try of the match when, seven minutes later, stand-in captain, Jake Eaglesham, went over the line after a quick ball from a ruck. Ross Sutherland continued to build on their great start with another penalty on the 15-minute mark that was slotted by Johnny Mann from 35 metres out.
Next the home crowd were treated to something special from Gareth Braddick. Taking a high ball deep in his own half, the full back hit the line at pace and danced his way through several flat-footed defenders to score under the posts for the try of the season so far - conversion points duly added by John Mann.
It was then Dyce's turn to get on the scoreboard when they were awarded a penalty. The determined young Ross side came straight back with a score from flying winger Mike Gordon, with a successful conversion added.
Dyce had the downhill advantage in the second half and came out firing, scoring after just three minutes as a result of some poor defending. They added another within 10 minutes, turning this into a real battle with the score too close at 25-17. But these young stags were again to show great spirit and leading from the front was Mike Gordon who made a strong run down his wing to go over for his second of the day, converted. It would be Ross that struck again seven minutes later as big centre Jake Eaglesham went over for his second of the day, not converted.
Dyce were not about to lie down and hit back with a score of their own with 10 minutes to go, but by then it was a done deal with the final whistle blowing in favour of Ross Sutherland who booked a place in round 2 of the RBS Caledonia Regional Bowl.
With eight regular Stags starters unavailable for this game it was a great opportunity for some of the younger guys to show up. Gordie Black, with a man of the match performance, worked tirelessly all afternoon but was pushed all the way by David "Poppy" Clark.
Coach Rob Parkes was able to note the areas that need work in this week's training, 7-9pm on Tuesday and Thursday at Invergordon, in preparation for visitors Banff RFC next weekend in the RBS Caledonian NW2 fixture. He added, "There are lots of areas to work on but overall this was a solid performance and allowed me to play all subs as well, with Alan Maclean and Mike Sinclair bringing their experienced heads to the pack in the closing stages."
