Heavy rain preceded this derby encounter ensuring difficult under foot conditions which ultimately didn't suit either team.

However, it was Falkirk who came out on top thanks to a try from wing Andrew Thomson and a personal tally of 18 points from a try and the boot of stand off, Glen Faulds.

The game was a fairly even contest throughout with neither team totally dominant. Early exchanges though went in Grangemouth's favour as their big pack made inroads into Falkirk's 22 and after a sustained period of pressure the opening try was scored. This stung Falkirk into action and from some good interplay between backs and forwards Grangemouth infringed at the ruck. Faulds stepped up and slotted his first points of the afternoon.

The game seesawed back and forward with Falkirk getting good field position on a number of occasions but unfortunately they couldn't capitalise and turn that pressure into tries. Faulds kicked a further couple of penalties after some excellent work from the Falkirk No8 Ross Denny and with David Stoddart and Peter Barton carrying hard into the opposition throughout the game. However, it was Grangemouth who got the next try after some ineffective Falkirk tackling.

HT: Grangemouth 18 vs Falkirk 2's 9

At half time, coach Grieve reiterated to his young charges about making good low tackles and Falkirk started the second half in determined mood.

The Falkirk pack started to exert more and more pressure on a tiring Grangemouth pack and Kyle Ormond (19yrs), Andrew Gillespie (20) and old man of the team Graeme Simpson (24yrs) started to dominate the front row battle. This filtered through the forward pack with Andrew McNab, Ross Denny and Duncan Scobbie cutting down the Grangemouth carriers and slowly Falkirk started to win the forward exchanges.

In typical derby fashion the opposing back divisions were cancelling each other out with neither dominating and all to often running across the pitch or possession being kicked away. Falkirk though we're looking the more dangerous into the second half and after some crisp handling from Martin Hall, Connor Faulds and Euan Rooney they released Andrew Thomson in a bit of space, he rounded his opposite number before stepping back inside the covering full back to score just left of the uprights. Glen Faulds duly slotted the conversion.

Grangemouth were not about to lie down and started to mount their own attacks and were rewarded with another couple of successful penalties. Falkirk made a number of changes and Lewis McKay came on for Ormond in the front row with Scott Denny, Grant Kirk and Zack Beattie replacing Mcnab, R Denny and Scobbie. Unfortunately the game turned fairly scrappy with both teams making too many handling errors and giving away too many penalties and as the game moved into the last quarter it was clear that either side could still win it.

It was Falkirk though that started to mount the pressure with Glen Faulds kicking well and putting the Falkirk pack inside the Grangemouth 22 but time and again the throw at the lineout wasn't straight or the ball was either spilled or turned over in contact. This however, did not deter Falkirk as they worked tirelessly to regain possession. With the game moving into the final minutes of play Falkirk were now camped in and around the Grangemouth 22 yet they were still 5 points in arrears. The referee had now called last play and if Falkirk lost possession it was game over. A monumental effort from every player left on the pitch saw Falkirk recycle possession time and time again, with the home side hanging on by their fingernails Falkirk just needed to remain composed and accurate awaiting their opportunity, belying their youth they done just that. The ball was recycled half a dozen times and kept alive and eventually Falkirk had stretched the home defence enough for Glen Faulds to get outside the defence and score 10 metres in from the right touchline. This tied the score at 21 all with the conversion to come. Up stepped young Faulds again and with the coolness of a seasoned player far older than his 17 years he slotted the conversion to the delight of his team mates and supporters.

FT: Grangemouth 21 vs Falkirk 2's 23

Overall it was a performance of real character, grit and determination from a young Falkirk team who in the end deserved their win. There is still lots to work on and if this team continues to show the character and work ethic that was on display during this game then there will be individuals knocking on the door of the 1st xv and more importantly they will climb this league.