Glasgow Hawks 30-29 Boroughmuir

An astonishing end to an amazing game that encapsulates an extraordinary roller-coaster season for Hawks 2's!!!  B'Muir were looking to close within one win of the title, Hawks for respectable end to tricky campaign. B'Muir were best side faced in 1st half of season and were far superior in 1st half here. Hawks struggled to win decent set-piece ball and were under pressure from start. Superb line-out drive made it 0-5 after 6mins. Mike Martin kicked pen for offside after 13mins.  Physical battle ensued upfront but poor scrum and missed first up tackles cost 2 scores. 3-17 after 30mins.
Ref had game of 2 halves, Hawks unhappy with decisions in 1st and B'Muir feeling slighted in 2nd. Hawks incensed when quality try in corner by Sean Murray ruled out , ref claiming scorer in touch before ball grounded- great eyes from 40 yards away! Hawks protested, B'Muir took quick drop-out and scored at other end. 14 pt swing in blink of eye. Instead of 8-17, became 3-24.
Good response in adversity as Hawks  off-loaded superbly and got pen 5m out, George Oomen quick as a flash dived over line. But B'Muir not top of league for nothing and they attacked down left, powerful running breaking tackles and winger scoring in corner. HT 8-29.
Despite being under the cosh in set piece and on scoreboard there was a real belief that the situation could be turned round.  What unfolded was a quite remarkable display of attacking rugby that made a mockery of respective league positions. Forwards sorted the scrum and quickened the line-out to provide a supply of ball that Mike/Gav and Rob in mid-field used to great effect. Mike Martin created space for Mark Taylor to burst thru' defence and put Gav McDonald  over. 13-28, 47mins. Couple of chances squandered before Scott Cameron piled over line after  quick rucks had pulled defence apart. 18-29 after 60mins.
Into last 10mins and B'Muir couldn't get over half way line and  the physical nature of game put ref under huge pressure to get decisions correct at breakdown.  Scrum solid now and allowed Mike to put fab wide pass to Tails , link with Gav and Sean  squeezed over in corner.  23-29  after 75mins. Still needing converted score  as game went into injury time.
This Hawks team would not be beaten and as seconds ticked down pounded line before more great midfield passing created a half gap for Rob Wilson to get over line, right in corner. 28-29, no successful conv up to this point. There was only one place this touch-line kick was going- Mike kept best till last. Quite unbelievable finish- final whistle as ball bisected the posts!!
Hawks monumental 2nd half justified the celebrations that ensued,  B'Muir dumb-struck by transformation from half-time. Anger directed at ref but they were hit by the best 40mins Hawks has played all season.
The 2's have shown immense spirit and togetherness in what has been a difficult season and the gutsy performance coupled with high skill levels  produced a thoroughly deserved result. B'Muir should go onto win league , but they are unlikely to face a sterner test.
Hawks have 2 games left against DundeeHS and Watsonians to complete the season.

This article was posted on 26-Mar-2012, 22:00 by Hugh Barrow.