GHK, who have awarded themselves the prestigious rugby soubriquet of ‘Lions’ emerged with ‘pride’ intact in what was to turn out to be their first competitive defeat of the season. In a game which proved to be a great advert for club rugby and not before the team had earned the respect of their National League One opponents, GHK led on three occasions before eventually succumbing by 20-16.

Making the short trip to play on the excellent surface at next door neighbours’ Glasgow Accies (again many thanks to Accies Chairman Gavin Smith and great to see Gavin and ex chairman Gordon Wilson lending their support – you were cheering for GHK weren’t you!)

GHK had their splendid, Denver-acquired mascot lion king Percy, (of course!) making a rare touchline appearance on Saturday. He was joined by a large and vociferous support from Kilmarnock who gave their team encouragement throughout.

This was, in some ways, a game where clichés seemed to fit –the proverbial ‘game of two halves’, ‘more to be learned from defeat than victory’, ‘many positives to be taken despite the loss’ and ‘ the result depending on a few crucial moments’ all seeming to apply.

Equally there were parallels with Scotland’s performance on Sunday with GHK just losing out to a team who were slightly more direct and clinical in their finishing, who started as clear favourites but who certainly knew they had been in a game by the end.

GHK were quickly into their stride with good hands and direct running bringing them to within a few metres of Killie’s line before the visitors were penalised allowing Andy Fleming to settle nerves with a straightforward penalty for a 3-0 lead after only 2 minutes.

A good run from Mikey Borthwick , the first of numerous such sorties in the match, came to nothing and, when ball was lost in contact Kilmarnock showed how effective their backs could be with a neat switch between 10 and 12 gaining good ground with the ball then being swiftly transferred first left and then right through several pairs of hands to give a run in to the right corner putting Killie 5-3 ahead with only 4 minutes on the clock.

Despite missing a long range penalty GHK regained the lead when, following a Tony Herron chip and chase, the ball was moved left and right for captain Danny Hoffman to go over with Andy Fleming adding the extra points for a 10-5 margin after 15 minutes.

Most of the remainder of the half belonged to Kilmarnock as their direct running and quick, simple passes threatened to put the game beyond GHK’s reach by half-time. It was, yet again, a tribute to GHK’s tenacious defence that only two tries were scored, despite Kilmarnock’s pressure and a succession of penalties being conceded by the home team. Half time 10-15.

GHK’s forwards have been becoming increasingly influential in games as the season has gone on and it was the pack’s outstanding performance, particularly in the tight, where they gained the lions’ share (what else!) of possession in the line out and exerted increasing scrum pressure as the game progressed which led to GHK becoming the dominant side in the second half. Mention must also be made of the ‘ninth forward’ in Mike Aird, at scrum half, who, working in concert with the back row, ensured that ball which Kilmarnock did win was seldom anything but tidy or quick.

Coach Hamilton made important changes at half time, reshuffling the back line with David Reed coming on at 10, Andy Fleming switching to full back and Tony Herron moving up to outside centre, a largely untried but potentially exciting formation.

As often seems to be the case, with GHK now pressing, refereeing decisions which had gone against them in the first half now went their way allowing them to gain some yardage into the breeze and for Andy Fleming to slot a penalty midway through the half to leave the game finely balanced at 13-15.

GHK’s continued effort seemed to have paid off when, with only 4 minutes left, they were awarded a penalty some 20 metres out which, despite the elements and the pressure, was coolly slotted by Andy Fleming for a 16-15 lead.

As mentioned earlier, parallels with Scotland’s performance in terms of bravery of performance, trying to play good rugby and competing with a higher ranked team for most of the match, only for small mistakes and perhaps a lack of good fortune at crucial times proving to be the team’s undoing were to the fore when from the restart GHK gathered the ball well but, instead of taking the direct route and protecting the ball a loose pass was thrown, dropped and then re-gathered. Although the ball was recycled Kilmarnock managed to charge down the clearance kick and their player just managed to touch down ahead of two defenders for the lead to change hands for the sixth and final time.

Even then GHK’s never say die attitude almost held sway as they attacked the Kilmarnock line coming agonisingly close to finding the crucial breakthrough.

Many congratulations from all at GHK to Kilmarnock and good luck in the
national phase of the competition.

It is now back to league business for GHK where the situation has become a little clearer in that Marr, although recovering from 12-0 down to defeat Allan Glens 16-12, were unable to secure a bonus point meaning that wins in their two remaining league games would ensure that GHK win the league. The first of these two difficult, crucial games takes place this Saturday, 3 March 3pm kick off, away to East Kilbride at Torrance House. Be there! No excuses! More haranguing later in the week!

This article was originally posted on 28-Feb-2012, 00:12 by Ronnie Gourley.
Last updated by Ronnie Gourley on 28-Feb-2012, 00:20.

This article was posted on 28-Feb-2012, 08:45 by Hugh Barrow.