Whitecraigs 5 Glasgow Hawks 31

RBS Scottish Cup West Division Group B

Hawks Winning Cup Run Continues

No doubt conscious of the loss to Whitecraigs in the Scottish Cup last season Hawks made up for that shock result with a comprehensive 5 tries to 1 win at West Lodge on Saturday. However it wasn’t all plain sailing for the National League side as Whitecraigs held most of the territorial advantage throughout the first half. Their problem was that, although they huffed and puffed within the Hawks 22 they could not break down Hawks resolute defence no matter how hard they tried. Hawks always looked dangerous whenever they broke out of their own half and as a result led by 14-0 at half time. On two out of perhaps four sorties into the Whitecraigs half they scored tries, the first in the 19th minute when hooker, Calum Kerr, appeared on the wing at the end a good handling move and dived over in the corner. The second in the 37th minute after 4 re-set scrums close the Whitecraigs line finally allowed No.8 Ross Miller to pick up and use his strength and bulk to force his way over. Both tries were converted by full back James Gormley.
Hawks problem in the first half was compounded by giving away no fewer than 12 penalties out of 16 awarded. None of these were for foul play; all for technical offences Those awards enabled the bulky Whitecraigs pack to camp in Hawks 22 for long periods.
The second half was quite different as Hawks had the bulk of the possession and scored a further 3 tries against their tiring opponents who eventually had to request uncontested scrums. This was certainly not to Hawks advantage.
10 minutes after half time Whitecraigs made a hash of a scrum near their own line and replacement hooker Jack McFarlane pounced on the loose ball to claim the first try of the half and stretch Hawks lead to 19-0
In the 56th minute Whitecraigs eventually broke their duck by scoring a try out of nothing. A long speculative kick into the corner bounced awkwardly for winger Tom Steven and James Gormley and Ryan Moffat following up got the touchdown.
This seemed to spur Hawks on and in the 61st minute, following two short penalties close to the line, Ross Miller forced his way over from short range for his second try of the afternoon.
With 10 minutes remaining Ally Maxwell broke through after a series of rucks to score the final try. James Gormley converted Ross Miller’s second try.
The interesting fact is that all 5 Hawks tries were scored by forwards.
The under strength Whitecraigs side fought gamely all through this match and their control at the lineout was exemplary. They also need to be congratulated for the excellent state of the pitch considering the amount of rain that has fallen this week.
This was a good workout for Hawks before the crucial league game against Kelso at Poynder Park next Saturday.
Hawks remain top of their group after three games with a maximum 15 points and two home games out of three to come
AG

This article was originally posted on 24-Nov-2012, 19:37 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-Nov-2012, 22:05.