Fixtures & Players

Saturday gave us our first game of 2013 and our first run out since early December. After a minutes silence to mark the passing of 3 GHK members, Jimmy Martin, John McCrosson and John McCurley, the game kicked off on a bright but rapidly chilling afternoon. GHK made a good start taking the game to Kilmarnock but several good breaks resulted in lost possession just when a score was imminent. However after 10 minutes a pick up at the back of the scrum was fed to Rory Love coming in off his wing and he raced in to score an unconverted try for 5-0.

For the next 10 minutes there was plenty of GHK pressure but when it looked easier to score we managed to throw a bad pass and the chances were lost. The pressure did lead to another scrum on the 5 meter line and a push over try by Mickey Borthwick was the result although the conversion was again pushed wide – 10-0 to GHK.

We continued making errors and Kilmarnock finally took their chance and scored a try and a well struck conversion for 10-7. Again the same scenario let Kilmarnock back for another penalty attempt and a good kick made it 10-10 at half time.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were dominated by Kilmarnock whose backs thought they could turn the game for them but resolute defence by all GHK players kept them out. A scrum 30 meters out led to the ball popping out and Mickey Borthwick picking up and beating the defence to score under the posts which gave Finn Carmichael an easy conversion for 17-10.

This gave GHK confidence and we upped the pressure and had several great passing moves which put us in position and a long pass for once was plucked out of the air by Rory Love to race in from 15 meters and 22-10 lead.
However we let Kilmarnock back into the game again and they duly scored under the posts to convert as well for 22-17.

There was only a few minutes left and GHK managed to hold on for a well-deserved victory. We were the better side over the match but unforced errors kept Kilmarnock in the game and hopefully the rusty feeling has been sorted and we can look forward to the next game which will hopefully be next Saturday rather than a month from now. An excellent performance by the forwards in all departments of the game gave the backs plenty of ball which in the end resulted in a bonus point win and consolidation in second place in the league.
This article was posted on 14-Jan-2013, 20:30 by Ronnie Gourley.

This article was posted on 14-Jan-2013, 21:50 by Hugh Barrow.