Greenock Wanderers fall to disappointing home loss to Moray

The game was a massive match for the Wanderers after their hammering at the hands of Strathmore the previous week, but with several enforced changes in their squad, a below-strength Greenock side conceded five tries without troubling the scoreboard.

The home side had to make several changes from their squad from the Strathmore game, with a number of players away attending a wedding; the selection of a back row player at centre and a new half-back pairing were among the notable changes and perhaps hinted at a challenging afternoon to come.

An under-strength Greenock side were well beaten at home to Moray. (Image: alex craig) Wanderers got off to a decent start but it only took the visitors 12 minutes to shake off any lingering travel fatigue to open the scoring with an unconverted try.

The hosts' pack were holding the visitors at bay, but the Greenock backs were struggling to make much ground in attack, and Moray added a second score on 21 minutes, this one converted, after a forward broke through the Wanderers' defence.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men after a brace of yellow cards, and Wanderers wasted a great opportunity to reduce the leeway when they knocked on after threatening the visitors' line.

Wanderers conceded five tries without troubling the scoreboard. (Image: alex craig) And Moray made the most of that let-off when they ended the half with a further converted score to open up their interval advantage to 19-0.

Wanderers' Boag made a break down the middle of the park as the hosts started the second half in positive fashion, but his kick ahead bounced off a visitor's leg and the chance was lost.

A flurry of penalties against the visitors allowed Wanderers to camp in the Moray half, but poor decision making denied them a score, and though a further yellow card presented the hosts with another chance to make inroads, Greenock were unable to take advantage.

Wanderers were unable to make the most of the opportunities that came their way on Saturday. (Image: alex craig) From a penalty in their own half, Moray showed good handling skills, and their winger sped away to score, giving the visitors the try bonus point with 10 minutes remaining - and with the home side's heads down, a final try right on full-time completed the scoring.

Wanderers will have to pick up some points soon, as the Moray match had been targeted as a possible home win, with a long trip to second-bottom Stewartry next on the fixture list for the Fort Matilda men this weekend.

Elsewhere at the weekend, the Wanderers' men's third XV lost 39-5 at home to a reformed, and resurgent, Isle of Arran team, while on Sunday, the ladies' first and second teams were beaten by Hillhead-Jordanhill 2nd and Lenzie 1st respectively.

Greenock Wanderers' club sponsor is MMSEARCH; the ladies are sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.