Greenock Wanderers 0 Glasgow Hawks 53

RBS West Regional Cup Group B
Saturday 15th December 2012
Fort Matilda

The three week period without playing rugby due to frozen pitches had clearly been good for the Hawks players. After 16 consecutive games the bodies needed some R&R to come back refreshed. Hawks took full advantage of this gap and were clearly ready to play again as they ratched up 19 unanswered in the first 8 minutes. In a ferocious start the forwards and backs combined spectacularly to overwhelm their shell shocked opponents.
In drizzly conditions and playing into the breeze Hawks used their considerable size, weight and speed advantage to good effect. First of all after 2 minutes winger Tom Steven stormed over between the posts for a try that gave Mike Adamson the simplest of conversions. This was followed by a No. 8 pick up on halfway line by Ross Miller who released Paddy Boyer on a surging touchline run. Although he was halted short of the line the ball was recycled right across the park where ace poacher, hooker Callum Kerr forced his way over. This was a classic team try. A surge to the line, quick ruck ball won on the right followed by a flowing threequarter line display of slick handling culminating in a try in the opposite corner. The third try was also the result of a sweeping back line move completed by winger Tom Stevens. This time Mike Adamson landed a superb touchline conversion into the wind.
There was little Wanderers could do against such an onslaught and effectively the game was over almost before it got started.
It could not continue in this vein and it didn’t. Little by little Wanderers got back into the game as Hawks ran the changes with the coaching team trying to get as many players as possible game time. It was all a bit like a revolving door as players came and went and so the continuity was broken. For the rest of the half Wanderers gave as good as they got except in the tight scrums where Hawks had the upper hand all afternoon.
Half time Wanderers 0 Hawks 19
Hawks started the half strongly and in the 44th minute Bradley Harper squeezed over in the corner for the 4th and bonus point try.
5 more tries were to follow at varying intervals as the Wanderers fell behind to the pace and power of Hawks.
Try 5 produced Tom Stevens hatrick from a chip ahead by Mike Adamson and his 4th 3 minutes later simply from power as he blasted through his opposite number.
He almost got a 5th as he plucked a high Adamson kick out of the air but Ally Maxwell was backing up to get the touch down for try number 7
Try No 8 was scored by Ross Miller from a No.8 pick up at the base of the scrum.
You had to feel sorry for Wanderers, who never gave up, as the final try was the result of a breakaway when they were on the attack. Haddon McPherson getting the touchdown after a long run up the right wing. Mike Adamson converted the final try and the earlier try by Ross Miller.
Hawks will be pleased with this result as Wanderers had given them so much trouble in November when they visited Old Anniesland. Wanderers the most hospitable of Clubs never gave up but are sure to have better days at the office later in the season as they have a number of talented players.
If Hawks can produce this form in their next few league games they will still be in the hunt for promotion.
Next Saturday Hamilton are the visitors to Old Anniesland which should be a Christmas cracker.

This article was originally posted on 15-Dec-2012, 22:10 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Russell Sim on 17-Dec-2012, 00:31.