Match against Boroughmuir (30-Oct-2010)
Date: Saturday, 30th October 2010
Kickoff time: 15:00
Against: Boroughmuir
Team: Hawks 1st XV
Location: Away
Competition: Premiership Division 1
Final score: 39 - 10 (won)
| Boroughmuir 10 v 39 Glasgow Hawks Reporter: Simon Furnivall It is always easier, in the aftermath of defeat, to look at one's own mistakes when searching for a reason. It is even easier to blame a referee. The cold truth of this game, however, is that despite the mistakes made by Boroughmuir or the decisions which frustrated them, Glasgow Hawks were simply the better side. With the power of their forwards and the pace and guile of their back line, Hawks were the better side from start to finish as they claimed a crucial five points in their title challenge. Boroughmuir's mistake count undoubtedly contributed to the scale of the score line, as did the period during which they had only thirteen men on the field; the defensive effort that period required left 'Muir tacklers tired in the final half hour, but it would have taken a Herculean effort to deny what looked to be a Hawks side very near their best. Hawks served notice early on that the running of the Gossman brothers and the artistry of centre Dean Kelbrick were going to cause problems, though it was actually the home side who had more of the ball in the early exchanges of the game. During this period Boroughmuir got a sense of what lay ahead for them as they struggled to break down a resolute Hawks defence and all too often their patience would snap, trying to force a gap where none existed, which inevitably ended in turnover ball. Neither did it help that kicks at goal were missed. Had the half time score been 9-15 rather than 3-15, there may have been something to build on, but Harry Leonard dragged a forty-seven metre attempt just wide before Ally Warnock did similarly with a penalty from twenty five metres out. Between those two attempts, Hawks had opened the scoring with a try from scrum half Kris Hamilton. After 'Muir full back Harris Jones had kicked upfield and the defensive chase pinned Hawks back in their own twenty-two, concentration slipped for a second, allowing Bart Karalus to break clear up the blindside. Winger Joffy White provided the support before slipping a pass to Hamilton, who raced away and scored under the posts. Fly-half Mike Adamson added the conversion. Adamson then landed a successful penalty attempt before, with just four minutes of the half remaining, 'Muir's task got significantly more difficult. Hawks swung a ball right across the field, getting White on the outside of his opposing winger, Ross Neil. He had Craig Gossman in support, and slipped a pass to the full back, but before it arrived, Malcolm Clapperton had tugged at Gossman's shoulder, bringing the Hawks player down. There was an argument for a penalty try having been awarded, but certainly there was none regarding the yellow card the Clapperton was shown. Hawks made their numerical advantage pay straight away, having kicked the penalty to touch, Adamson then hoisted a cross field kick towards Ker Gossman, who beat Sam Johnson to the ball and touched down. Adamson couldn't add the conversion on this occasion. 'Muir's problems got even bigger just before the half time break as Derek O'Riordan joined Clapperton on the side lines having been shown a yellow card. Both sides had been infringing at the breakdown, and O'Riordan was perhaps unlucky to be singled out when he failed to release after making a tackle. The hosts did at least end the first half with something to cheer as Warnock got them on the board with a penalty, but it was always going to be an uphill battle in the second half. What was at the time a little surprising, was that the period of the second half they played with a numerical disadvantage was quite possibly Boroughmuir's most threatening period of the game. That seems often to have been the case with 'Muir this season, and perhaps it is a result of the situation focusing their minds and forcing them to play the ball through the hands. There is doubtless an array of talent for them to utilise when they do, as was shown by a searing break from Harris Jones, only brought to an end when Ross Neil was tackled into touch having taken a pass from the full back. “It was always going to be Hawks' day” It was always going to be Hawks' day, however, and a particularly strong show case for the Gossmans. With Ker having scored in the first half, Craig notched their first try in the second. A wonderful break from Adamson, arcing outside substitute Stephen Ruddick, set the platform and a few passes later Gossman was over in the corner. Adamson added the extras. The time had come for Hawks to turn on the after burners with 'Muir back to full strength but tiring from their defensive effort. With quarter of an hour of the second half gone they secured the bonus point. Having won a lineout ten metres from the 'Muir line, centre David Milne burst through tackles and was stopped just short of the line, but had the presence of mind to pop the ball up to the supporting Rory McKay, who dived over for the score. Adamson again converted. If Boroughmuir had any thoughts of even grabbing a losing bonus they were blown out of the water by Hawks' fifth try, a beautiful example of counter attacking rugby at its finest. Chris Fusaro had battered his way through the Hawks twenty-two, dragging defender with him before he was eventually stopped just short of the line. As 'Muir looked to drive the ball over, Greig Scott was penalised for going over the top of the ball and Hamilton took a quick tap penalty. The ball was quickly shipped left and the Gossmans combined down the flank, Craig racing in for the score as Harris Jones struggled to find a way past Ker. Adamson didn't add the extra two points on that occasion, and neither did he after their final score. With nine minutes of the game left, an opportunist hack down the field after 'Muir had been on the attack looked to be covered by substitute Joni Hare. The back rower, making his final appearance before shoulder surgery, was beaten to the ball by Robbie Hair, however, the replacement streaking away for Hawks' sixth try. The consolation of the afternoon was that at no point had Boroughmuir given up trying. They'd had plenty of possession with which to fashion attacks, but so often had failed to break through. They finally did with the clock ticking down, a long pass out to the wing tapped down by Joffy White as he went for the interception, and Harris Jones was alert, picking up the loose ball and running in for the try. Harry Leonard added the conversion. All in all it was something of a chastening afternoon for Boroughmuir, showing their young side exactly what they have to do to be considered amongst the sides at the very summit of Scottish club rugby. There is no doubt that it is a summit they can reach, however, with some of the most exciting young players in the division, who will only learn from games such as these. They must now turn their attentions towards the cup and a hopefully successful run, starting with next week's trip to Dalziel. Boroughmuir : Harris Jones: Sam Johnson, Malcolm Clapperton (c), Harry Leonard, Ross Neil: Ally Warnock, Ross Samson: Nick Fraser, Callum MacIntosh, Johnny Latta: Greig Scott, Alastair Davidson: Chris Fusaro, Derek O'Riordan, Neil Rodger. Subs Used: Greg Jones, Jodh Duley, Joni Hare, Mark Hare, Stephen Ruddick
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