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Rams In Cup Cliffhanger

Published on 09 October 2006 at 19:21:00

 

Moffat Rams 20  Calder 17

The first round cup tie at the Holm between Moffat Rams and Calder RFC attracted a good crowd in response to Coach Andy Ferguson's appeal for vocal supporters in last weeks edition and they had an exciting but nerve racking experience watching a closely contested game.  Calder came as an unknown quantity, having started their first league season one month ago, but they were not overawed.  They opened the scoring in the first five minutes to take an early five point lead with a well taken try by their full-back, while the Rams were trying to get into their stride.

This was a wake-up call for the home side and they started to exert more influence on the game, winning ball and setting up attacking moves but there was lack of concentration leading to too many handling errors.  Moffat went ahead thanks to the boot of Kevin Jack who scored two penalties to take them one point ahead but this was quickly answered by a converted try for the visitors, taking the score to 6-12.  A further long range penalty from the boot of Jack left the Rams trailing 9-12 at half time.

The home side started the second period with renewed determination but were well matched by their stuffy opponents who conceded two more penalties in difficult positions that the Rams could not convert into points. They snatched the lead with a well taken try in the corner to take them two points ahead, but they could not land the difficult conversion from the side line to give them a much needed points cushion.

Calder responded by scoring another try which they again failed convert, to give them a 14-17 advantage with a few minutes of the game remaining.  Again the boot of Jack came to the rescue, landing a penalty to level the scores at 17-17 at full time.

This being a cup tie the game went to extra time, with ten minutes each way and if no winner by then the team scoring the most tries would go through to the next round.  As Calder led the try count by three to one a win in the extra period was needed to see the Rams progress to the next round.

Both teams were striving for the advantage in the first ten minute period but turned with the score unchanged.  The home supporters were really feeling the tension and that was shared with the team as they battled to win the game in the final ten minutes.  The Rams won a penalty with two minutes to go and again an ice cool Kevin Jack slotted the kick home to give the Rams a hard fought and stressful victory   The draw for the next round of the cup will be made on Wednesday and the tie will be played on Saturday 28 October.