Accies v EK, 13 Oct 2012
by MarkWalker
It was on this day in 1978 in New York’s storied Chelsea Hotel that Sid Vicious, the then bassist of the Sex Pistols and a heroin addict, was arrested in the stabbing of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in their room. And I think it would be fair to describe Accies’ performance at New Anniesland today as “arresting”, with the home side rocking and rolling their way to a comprehensive 25 - 13 victory.

“So what’s changed?”…….you may ask. Well this old reporter likes to think he knows a thing or two about the Academical side that presents itself this season, and the answer today was simple. Application. And I’m not talking about job applications, or coats of paint, I am talking about good old fashioned grunt. It would be fair to say that Accies are not the most physically imposing side to grace their league this year, however the boys showed a willingness and indeed desire to roll their metaphorical sleeves up and take the game to what is a very well proportioned East Kilbride forward pack.

Following a somewhat direct speech from Coach Ally Craig prior to kick off, Accies began the game with real intent and early exchanges suggested that the finger had been well and truly removed. The first points of the game however came on the 8th minute, when following a period of prolonged pressure, EK were awarded a penalty deep in the Accies 22 which was easily converted. 0 - 3.

A period of territorial tennis then developed before Accies were able to finally open their account with a penalty try on the 30th minute. With Accies showing scrumaging technique the like of which we have not seen for a while, EK were presented with no other option than to “spoil” a number of Accies scrums in their 22, before the referee finally lost his patience and headed for the EK posts with his arm in the air. 7 - 3.

EK were to respond shortly afterwards however when their winger crossed over in the corner, following a scrum which had been awarded after a prior attempt was held up. Some slick handling in the midfield took the ball across to the other side of the pitch where Accies were left short on numbers. 7 - 8.

Andrew “Beaver” Jackson took a quick tap penalty late in the half which led to some enterprising interplay along the back line, and Andy Brown ultimately dotting down in the corner following a switch move with his colleague Craig Wright. This proved an ideal ending to the first half as the home side went in to the turn leading 12 - 8.

Coach (and general good guy) Ally Craig couldn’t have had much to complain about at half time however the former schoolmaster appears to have indulged in some further motivational commentary, which manifested itself in points early in the second half. Scrum half Ben Semple picked the ball from an Accies scrum in midfield and set off down the blindside wing. The Accies fans were momentarily deflated when it appeared that Ben would be put into touch at the EK corner, however a quick slipped pass back inside to the omnipresent (and omni-injured) Graeme Simpson, allowed the seasoned veteran to quite literally crash over the EK line, taking the score at the 51st minute to 17 - 8.

The next 20 minutes proved an abyss in terms of points. However this lull in proceedings was suitably filled with some delicious positional kicking from Accies’ permanently tanned full back, Steven Fyfe, and ended with Accies bonus point try - some slick interplay and a 15m run into the corner from 2nd rower Michael Walker made it 22 - 8.

Substitutions also took place in this period where number 10 Jonny Taylor and number 3 Fabbi Marchetti were replaced by Ben Wilkinson and Matt Franklin respectively. Both departees incidentally having represented themselves well with Fabbi picking up the man of the match award at the post match celebrations.

To round things off for Accies, Ben Wilkinson slotted a 70th minute penalty to keep the score line ticking over at 25 - 8 but unfortunately for the home support, the match was to end with the Annieslanders’ standing underneath their goal posts as EK sneaked over for a well taken score following a series of pick and go efforts in the Accies 22.

Margaret Thatcher celebrates her 87th birthday today, and without “labouring” the point too much I believe that this Accies side today discovered that sometimes the “conservative” approach must be discarded if they are to get the best from themselves. Very well done to the boys on a well deserved victory, and this I believe will now be the catalyst to further impressive performances yet to come this season.



You just can’t get….
by MarkWalker
....enough of a good thing! Or so SHE said.....

Perhaps making up for your Webmaster's touchline absence and errant behaviour in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon, the match reports have been positively flooding into the Bat-Cave today!

Here's another view of yesterday's exploits from one of our very own elder statesmen - contrast and compare boys and girls, contrast and compare.....

"On a beautiful October afternoon Accies took to the field to play the side two places above them in the league. East Kilbride started as if the believed they could dominate this game and within 10 minutes were 0 - 3 up after a penalty in front of the post. This however spurred Accies into action and they worked themselves down into EK territory and the pack produced some superb scrummaging which eventually gave the referee no option but to award a penalty try! What a result for the front 5! 7 - 3!
EK then used the wind advantage to push us back into our 22 and a lack concentration allowed them to put real pressure on our line but stout defence kept them out.
EK kept up the pressure and despite some superb defensive work we conceded a simple try from a quickly taken penalty. 7 - 8
The half backs took the team straight back down into EK territory and the pack proceeded to dominate play and keep EK pinned into their 22.. We were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken and with superb ball transference Andy Brown finished of a well worked move to put the boys into the lead! 12 - 8
The pack scrummaged as we have wanted all season and lets be honest they dominated this side for most of the game. A great effort and something to give them real encouragement for the rest of the season.
This was the real difference this week, our front 5 dominated in the set piece. We had total control of the scrum and this allowed our half backs to dictate the game which they did to great effect!

The second half started as we had hoped and the pack were in total control, with the backs were constantly testing their defence. We camped in their twenty two and despite rugged defence produced two superb try's. Firstly from Graeme Simpson who had a superb game on his return from injury, dominating the loose and showing we have players who can carry and tackle. He supported a beautiful backs handling move and finally drove over the line. 17 - 8.
Ben Semple was a constant worry to their back row and took quick re-starts at every opportunity, his partner at 10, Jonny Taylor, played to the game plan and in the second half with the wind advantage kept them pinned back at all times.
With the pressure being applied it was inevitable we would score again and it dully arrived from another good handling movement and yes would you believe it another forward was on hand to drive over - Michael Walker. A real contender for M of the M. 22 - 8
Stephen Fyfe at 15 had a superb game and never at any time looked under pressure and when they kick to gain ground he collected and drove them backwards by several yards, and used the wind and position well.
We had several more chances but some stout EK defence and the odd missed final pass kept the score to 22 - 8.
In the final 10 minutes, after sustained pressure we decided to kick a penalty, taken by Ben Wilkinson - 25 - 8.
We demonstrated today that we have some serious depth in the number 10 shirt with regular incumbent Ali McLaren out injured. Both players controlled their back line and made good use of possession. Much to the delight of the forwards.
A late try by EK was due reward for their efforts but this was a dominant display by the Accies pack and a credit to their control of the game.
A mention must be made for Man of the Match - Fabio Marchetti who was the representative of the front row, who dominated today's encounter!
We all know the importance of the front 5 and thanks must go to them all today for a superb effort!
Final Result Accies 25 - EK 13 - 5 points and a great relief from all

This article was originally posted on 14-Oct-2012, 13:52 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 14-Oct-2012, 18:30.