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Banff Rugby Club victorious against Aberdeen Grammar


By Kyle Ritchie

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Banff RFC Men's XV returned to winning ways on Saturday with a gritty and bruising win over Aberdeen Grammar in the city.

This was Banff's second league match after a defeat to Moray. Coach Seb Acklaw was delighted to have a full 22 players, despite several injuries and work call-offs.

In the opening encounters, Banff controlled possession through scrum half Gordon Robertson and good forward running from John Swaffield and Jack Smith.

Mark Fullbrook and Kieran Riddell were forced to field tactical kicks well. It was Grammar who scored first though, one of their backs making the most of a period of pressure, carrying several Banff defenders over the line.

The visitors responded well however, good interplay from Sean Clark put Pete Legge bursting through, the big centre setting up Angus Swan who sprinted down the wing to score in the corner. At the break it was 5-5.

Banff and Aberdeen Grammar's forwards set for a line-out.
Banff and Aberdeen Grammar's forwards set for a line-out.

The second half saw another attritional battle, with Stuart Ferrier, Liam Ross, Robbie Stuart and Scott Findlater working hard in the tackle area.

Grammar retook the lead though, through a great burst by their centre who set up another of their backs to score. Banff then missed the opportunity to narrow the lead via a penalty.

The Banff try did come however. With 15 minutes to go, the hard-working Adam Kyle hit Connor Riddell in midfield and he outpaced three defenders to score a great try. Xav Kelly calmly knocked over the conversion to put Banff in the lead for the first time.

Grammar had several chances after this, but good pressure from Banff, including a Kyle turnover as well as good performances from the subs ensured they held on.

The final chance of the match fell to Grammar, who kicked a penalty wide, meaning Banff managed a 12-10 win.

Post-match, coach Seb Acklaw said: "A brilliant effort from everyone produced a well deserved win. This was a big physical contest and we matched them man for man."


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