GHK 34-10 Newton Stewart

Cup fever gripped GHK RFC on Saturday as the first XV hosted National League 3 team Newton Stewart at Balgray in the 2nd round. GHK were looking forward to the game after receiving a walk over in the first round against Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

GHK made two changes in the backs and four in the pack showing the strength in depth they currently have at Anniesland. Chuck McIllroy and Dave Fearnley came into the back division after being unavailable the previous week, John Lohar started at hooker, Scott Ferguson came into the middle row in place of injured Nick Cram, Colin Donald started at 6 and Stuart Pollok returned to his preferred role at number 8 for GHK.

GHK were confident going into the game with pre-season friendlies against National 3 opposition where they competed well in and did not lose, so GHK were looking to go into the 3rd round against one of the ‘Big Teams’ who come into the draw.

GHK kicked off and went on the attack immediately with some good driving work from the forwards. Ali Forbes made some good powerful runs and was supported by Andy McTavish who was also carrying the ball well. This pressure led to a penalty chance that Jaimie Millan converted to put GHK 3-0 up. From the next lineout, the forwards caught and mauled the ball up field then moved it wide to McIllroy who made a nice half break and fed inside to support Fearnley to race in for the try, converted by Millan.

Newton Stewart came back into the game with some typical tight forward play but GHK defence was holding firm until their biggest player, tighthead prop peeled away from the side of a maul and bulldozed his way over for a converted try. GHK were finding themselves on the wrong end of the referees whistle but luckily only one kick was successful to level the scores at the break 10-10.

GHK made a couple of changes in the second period bringing on Cammy Little at scrumhalf and Captain Olly Jones coming into the mid field after injury. GHK were under instructions to cut out the penalties and use the ball more out wide and straight from the kick off they did so with a flowing move involving 6 or 7 players came so close to regaining the lead. GHK then scored a try that showed technique can out class size and strength when the pack drove over the line from 15m out with their bigger opponents nowhere to be found, Ali Forbes came up with the ball to continue his try scoring form from last week.

GHK were looking in the mood and the forwards were dominating the lineouts with Pollock and Gilmartin to the fore, Ryan Welsh and Fraser McKinven were carrying ball well and Jones was cutting up the visiting defence at will.

A good kick chase by Rory Love forced a penalty 5m from the Newton Stewart line and Cammy Little took a quick tap penalty to dive over for a try that was converted by Millan. McIllroy then fielded an aimless kick from the visiting 10 and attacked. He beat 3men and offloaded to Jones who in turn fed Fearnley to go over for his brace.

Some big tackles were going in during the game, one in the first half by Colin Donald left his opposite man struggling to get back to his feet and in the second half by Forbes who came from nowhere to flatten one of their big forwards. GHK were looking for more tries and the final score came from another slick backline move where Fearnley made the initial break and fed Rory Love to dummied and dashed over for a converted try by Millan.

The game finished with GHK on top with a result they knew they were capable of. The squad know that their league position is well below the talents of the team and the cup is the perfect arena to demonstrate where they should be in the order of Scottish Rugby. The club are eagerly awaiting the cup draw at Murrayfield hoping they can continue their ‘giant killing’ acts and go on a rewarding cup run.

Next week sees a home tie versus Bishopton, kick off is 2pm.

Team: McIllroy, Love, Smeaton, Fearnley, McTavish, Millan, Rand, Forbes, Lohar, Welsh, Gilmartin, Ferguson, Donald, McKinven, Pollock, Jones, Little, Reid, McLemon

Man of the match: Ali Forbes

This article was posted on 8-Nov-2005, 21:03 by Hugh Barrow.