Waysiders/ Drumpellier v GHK Saturday 11 February Match Report

Waysiders/Drumpellier v GHK Saturday 11 February

GHK made the short trip to Coatbridge knowing that Waysiders/ Drumpellier (WD to their friends) would make life difficult on a pitch that was likely to be ‘holding’ at least.

So it turned out with WD proving stern and determined opponents and the pitch ranging from soft to gluepot and deteriorating as the match wore on.

Much of the match was a contest between the two sets of forwards which suited the heavier WD pack who played a limited but effective 'pick and go' game at every opportunity which saw them retain possession for large parts of the game whilst, with the exception of the early part of the second half, rarely looking like scoring a try. As has been the case throughout the season this was largely due to GHK’s impressively committed defending with scarcely a tackle missed all day.

The first points of the day went to WD after 15 minutes when GHK were caught offside straight in front of their posts. 3-0.

Shortly after WD missed a chance to double their lead and GHK took advantage when, from a scrum on the home side’s 22 they worked a neat move with No 8 Gregor Hollerin feeding scrum half Mike Aird who passed to the fast intruding full back Tony Herron for a good score with Andy Fleming adding the extra points. Unfortunately, this was one of the few occasions, admittedly in difficult conditions, when GHK managed to put a move together with passes going to hand and players running on to the ball at pace.

Each side claimed another penalty score before half time to leave the match poised at 6-10 in favour of the visitors.

As mentioned, WD exerted concerted pressure in the GHK 22 for a spell near the beginning of the second half when a try for the home side could have made things very difficult for GHK. However, GHK’s defence, with the forwards in general and Mike Borthwick and his back row colleagues in particular, to the fore, held firm. Attacks were repelled, the line was kept intact and GHK’s fitness regime paid off as they began to exploit gaps in the home defence.

First Scott Eadie latched onto a pass from a turn over and showed admirable speed and strength to go over from some 40 metres with the extra points again added by Fleming. With over twenty minutes still to play GHK went looking for the 2 tries that would bring a much needed bonus point.

It seemed as if they had moved closer when they were through again only to be brought back for a foot in touch - a decision which caused some consternation amongst the travelling support. (Well done to the trusty band of supporters who journeyed to the East)

GHK continued to press but only scored once more with George Oommen crashing over under the posts from a quickly taken penalty with the conversion added for a final score of 24-6.

In summary - another important win, slight disappointment at the failure to gain a bonus point but yet again a wholehearted, committed performance from all concerned.

15 league games won – 3 to go!
This article was posted on 15-Feb-2012, 22:22 by Ronnie Gourley.

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This article was posted on 16-Feb-2012, 12:52 by Hugh Barrow.