GLASGOW HAWKS 5 AYR 33 ---Under 18’S.
Hawks first season at Under 18 level was always going to be a difficult step into the unknown.
With over 15 of the previous seasons League, Cup and National Cup unbeaten champions unavailable for large swathes of this season due to School 1st XV commitments, and with the games now being played on a Saturday. There was therefore a large intake of players new to the club required; “bedding in” so many players new to each other’s games things were always going to be tough, and so it proved on Saturday against a fired up Ayr side.
The match began at a frantic pace, and did not let up throughout. It was as much a case of Hawks losing the first half, as it was of Ayr winning it. Handling errors, turnover ball at breakdowns, and missed first up tackles all resulted in a pacey Ayr backline quite clinically taking full advantage.
The coaches “advice” and a couple of changes at half time saw a much more competitive, and combative Hawks side take to the field.
The last couple of Seasons have seen the scrum, in the game overall, being the cause celebre for critical attention. This season it would appear to be the area of the “breakdown”. Certainly on Saturday the players battled with the interpretation of this area of play.
Notwithstanding, Hawks dominated large phases of play and territory in the second half, and had their opposition scrambling defensively. The teams’ attitude in both attack and defence improved dramatically in this second period, and was justly rewarded with a try at the end of the game.
The opposition were not a side who had better players all over the park, but rather a side who on the day had some players who played better. This Hawks squad definitely have the beating of Saturdays opponents, and I’m sure look towards the return away fixture with relish.
The areas of weakness can be addressed in training, and the squad seems to be gelling well both on and off the field. The squad have got a win as a team; lose as a team mentality and this will serve them well going forward.

This article was originally posted on 6-Nov-2012, 14:51 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 6-Nov-2012, 14:54.