Heartbreak for Oban Ladies as Stags take last-gasp Plate victory
A last-gasp try from Grangemouth broke the hearts of Oban Lorne Ladies and their supporters at the DAM Health Stadium, Murrayfield, on Saturday.
Playing in the National Plate final, Oban Ladies dominated territory and possession in the opening half, unlocking Grangemouth’s defence on several occasions to score three tries.
As the rain got heavier in the second half, however, things got difficult and a spate of penalties in the closing 10 minutes gave the Stags the chance to seal the game on the whistle.
Speaking after the game, heartbroken captain Kirsty Sinclair paid tribute to her team: “I’m so proud of this team for getting this far and for the effort they’ve put in, especially considering we didn’t have a full team in January,” she said.
“This is a massive step for us. We just need to keep training hard.”
Coach Corrie Louw added: “We started the season with 11 players, which shows just how far we’ve come since then.
“Grangemouth has three ex-internationals in their team, so we always knew this was going to be a tough game. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved.”
The slippery ball proved problematic at the kick-off and Oban lost possession but a quick regroup at the line up saw them surge forward from their own 22. A penalty kick five metres into Grangemouth territory saw them progress further but Grangemouth ladies were tough in defence.
With both teams camped out on the halfway line it was Grangemouth who broke the deadlock on 10 minutes when winger Amy Coyle broke free of an Oban tackle to run in and score under the posts. Heather Innes converted.
Oban supporters didn’t have long to wait for their moment of glory. Eight minutes later captain Kirsty Sinclair took flight from her own 22, showing her opposite number a clean pair of heels to run in her team’s first try with Amber Rose Love converting.
Two minutes later Sinclair took flight again, following a perfectly read interception, only for her team to be pulled back for a penalty infringement.
Oban only had to wait a matter of minutes before they did go ahead. Rebecca Sims powered over from close range to give her team the lead for the first time in the game.
Poppy McKillop then ran more than half the pitch for a superb try out wide after a great initial attacking line.
Grangemouth fought back and a try from Rachel Cook, converted by Innes, closed the gap to 17-14 just past the half hour mark.
Oban continued to press in the closing stages of the first half. Mia Leng was forced off through injury after a brave tackle on 29 minutes with Katie Hamilton taking her place on the wing.
Half-time score: Oban Lorne Ladies 17 Grangemouth 14
Grangemouth edged ahead after the re-start when replacement Sarah McCormack went over in the corner.
Oban dug deep and earned themselves a scrum deep in Grangemouth territory where another spell of deadlock ensued.
Once again the steady drizzle made handling difficult with both teams spilling chances to end the stalemate.
And it was Oban who eventually did on 63 minutes. A penalty in front of the posts was turned into five points when the team opted for a quick tap and go and prop Julie Campbell used her strength to cross the whitewash.
Play then moved to the opposite end as Grangemouth fought to retain their lead which they did on 70 minutes with a try from Coyle once again using her skill and speed to break for the line. Heather Innes converted to put her team four points ahead.
As the clock ran down, it was Grangemouth that had the upper hand. A spell of pressure in the Oban 22 produced a stoic defence from the west coast women as referee Yvonne Tunnicliff handed out penalty after penalty to the Stags.
And bang on 80 minutes it was the Grangemouth side that snatched the victory when Zubie Chaston ran over in the corner.
Oban Lorne Ladies: Rachel Macdonald; Drew Buckley (Lucy Stewart, 68 minutes); Poppy McKillop; Kirsty Sinclair, Mia Leng (Katie Hamilton 39 minutes); Selina Keppie; Amber Rose Love (Audrey Barr 68 minutes); Julie Campbell; Caitlin Fowler; Ellie MacNiven, Isla Macgillivray 12 minutes); Grace Maclean (Lindsay Macmillan 48 minutes); Ruth Neville (Grace Maclean 55 minutes); Jordon MacIntyre; Veronica Speirs and Rebecca Sims. Reserves: Elaine Mitchell; Lindsay Macmillan and Fiona Cunningham.