Top of the table as the strong start continues.

Last Saturday, in Aberdeen, a strong 2nd half performance paved the way to a comfortable Moray win against Gordonians 2nds in their latest Arnold Clark Caledonia Division 1 North fixture.

The Aberdeen side dominated early possession and in the 5th minute took the lead at 5-0 when they scored down the blindside after an attacking line-out, 5 metres out.

Moray came more into play and in the 15th minute replied. A ball cleared from the 22 was gathered by centre Cameron Hughes and he chipped the ball towards the corner. Wing-forward Beinn Hay was first to the ball, picked up and twisted his way over the line for an unconverted try, levelling the score at 5-5.

Four minutes later, a Gordonians kick from a penalty in their own half was regathered and the left wing sped down the touchline to score an unconverted try for 10-5.

In the 25th minute, a good break by Moray wing Finlay Bacon took him to a ruck in the 22. Quick ball was moved away from the breakdown and prop Mark Taylor received the ball and made the line. Full-back Rory Millar converted for 10-12.

The visitor’s strong scrum was causing real problems and a couple of opportunities were created but not taken leaving the score 10-12 at half-time.

The Elgin side came out of the blocks quickly in the 2nd half and were awarded a penalty, 25 metres out. It was tapped and run and after a couple of phases, Beinn Hay made the line for his 2nd. Millar converted for 10-19.

From the restart, the ball was taken, driven, set and then moved wide. An interplay out wide between brother Lewis and Beinn Hay saw the gap created for Beinn to run in his third try of the afternoon. Millar converted for 10-26.

A dropped ball in the 46th minute in the visitor’s 22 allowed Gordonians to score a converted try to get back in the game at 17-26.

Seven minutes later, Moray extended the lead. After a number of driving phases in the 22, a long-missed pass saw the ball reach Lewis Hay. He rounded his opposite number and scored a try, converted by Millar for 17-33.

In the 58th minute, the home side reduced the lead to 22-33 after a passage of play in the attacking half.

The Elgin side stepped up the pressure in the final 20 minutes and added three tries. The first, after some good forward driving phases saw the ball released to Lewis Hay to score his second. The second emanated from a strong scrum drive then driving phases in the 22 with wing -forward Rory Free spinning in the tackle and scoring. The third came from a penalty, 15 metres out when hooker Lewis Scott quickly tapped and went for the line, bulldozing his way through the defence to score. Millar converted 2 out of 3 for a final score of 22-52.

After a very competitive first half, Moray put together a very good 2nd half performance. Once again, the platform for the win had come from some great scrummaging and driving play by the forwards. The backs also made several great breaks with ball in hand but had also created and taken opportunities out wide.

This Saturday, Moray are away to Ross Sutherland in the league.