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The 1st XV came up just short at Duffus Park yesterday, conceding a try deep into injury time to give Howe the win in this National League Div 3 fixture.
The match was also the first leg of the Jim Rae Memorial Trophy and with such a close score, there is all to play for in the return league match at Rubislaw in February, when the team with the highest aggregate score over the 2 legs will take the trophy.
It was all Grammar possession early on when after a patient build up, the ball went out the backs for Scott Byars to score out wide after 5 mins.
Howe hit straight back from the restart when, after collecting their own kick off, they took advantage of poor Grammar tackling to score under the posts.
Howe scored 3 more tries before Grammar got 1 back on the 30 min mark, Donovan Zietsman crashing over from short range after the forwards had made good ground towards the line.
A further try apiece followed including a superb solo effort from Scott Byars, who gathered the ball on his own 22 and then evaded several Howe tackles to score right of the posts. Dan McElderry got his first successful conversion of the game.
Halt time...Howe 29 AGR 17
Grammar showed real purpose at the start of the 2nd half with a try from Liam Buchan, converted by Dan McElderry. However poor tackling again undid the good work and a try was quickly conceded.
Words were obviously had in the ensuing huddle which seemed to ignite Grammar. They went on to score 2 tries in quick succession from Liam Buchan and Craig Shepherd. A superb conversion from out wide by Dan McElderry propelled Grammar into the lead for the first time in the match, which he quickly followed up with a long range penalty, bringing the score to 34-39 in Grammar's favour with only a few minutes left on the clock.
Frustratingly for Grammar, tackling let them down again and Howe scored to level the scoreboard at 39-39, missing the conversion.
2 minutes into overtime and it was heartbreak for Grammar and their vocal travelling support, as Howe scored the winner in the corner. The kick was missed and the referee blew for full time.
Grammar fully deserved their 4-try bonus and losing bonus points which leaves AGR in 5th place on 21 points.
Full Time....Howe 44 AGR 39
Photo courtesy of Chris Reekie - (l to r) AGR captain Craig Shepherd, Howe's Gordon Thomson, Bob Rae and Howe captain Fraser Allan