DUMFRIES under 18’s v HAWKS under 18’s.

We all live and learn, well perhaps! But First off.

Anniesland’s version of “The Auld Alliance” was seen to be more than “Alive and Kicking” on Saturday past when our friends across the fence offered fantastic hospitality and put all at our disposal, Main Pitch, Clubhouse, Match Ball and superb post Match Food and “Watering”. All at Hawks under 18’s and I’m sure all within Hawks cannot express our appreciation enough.
As the youth may say – “Major Respect”.

Now to the match itself, the teams’ earlier meeting this season ended in an emphatic victory to the Dumfries side. Although not at that game, as were a large number of regular players, in fact a depleted squad of 17 made the journey south, your scribbler was advised that the enemy forces were in fact a collection of “huge fairmers boys”,

I can in deed confirm that these lads were big licensed premises workers.
Most of their squad are probably at the opposite end of the under 18’s age range, to our “boys” who in the majority have just come from under 16’s. And here, not in size lay the main difference on Saturday between the two sides. We must improve when playing more physical sides and stick to our gameplan. We must be more streetwise, more ruthless with and without the ball. The game was, one the whole, not particularly malicious or nasty, but it was physical, and intimidating. Good honest old fashioned “man’s rugby”, when it mattered. We can, and will learn game smarts, from our experiences this season.

The game started with a Hawks kick off resulting in a line out to Dumfries. They won this but a weak return kick resulted in a very well taken wingers try. Hawks 5 v Dumfries 0.

You may note the lack of names supplied in these reports (I do in fact know who they all are, heroes and zero’s each match). But as we stated at the start of this season, we win as a squad and loose as a squad, no glorifying and no demonising of individuals.. Anyway………………………………………….

The kick was missed, though from a difficult wide right position. This gave the lads great confidence and at this point the Hawks were dominating the subsequent rucks and mauls, and this eventually resulted in Dumfries conceding a penalty on the right wing. Sadly it proved to be just outside the kickers range, though well on target.
The first half continued with both sides trying to establish dominance at the set piece, and in broken play. Kicking for territory and some ruthless breakdown play resulted in the game quickly changing field position to and fro. This fiercely contested period of play ended with a penalty being awarded to Dumfries, under the Hawks posts which they duly converted. Hawks 5 Dumfries 3.

Hawks won line out ball wide left, there was a nice “8” pick and go from the subsequent ruck, with lovely support from the number 13 and winger which very nearly resulted in a try, sadly the ball was lost into touch in the 22..
Unfortunately Dumfries won the lineout and drove up field deep into Hawks territory, they were now really “upping the ante” at the breakdown winning good ball from a pick up from the base of the scrum. Very poor defence from Hawks allowed a clear dot down under the posts.
Hawks 5 Dumfries 8. The following kick was good, so at half time Dumfries were leading. 10 to 5 and starting to exert all the pressure at the set piece.

The second half began with our visitors showing their determination to put these “uppity” Hawks youngsters in their place. The following over enthusiasm resulted in a yellow card award to the Dumfries number 10 for a “high tackle”. Hawks tried to use the numerical advantage and managed several phases of play ending, again in the opponents 22 with a failed drop goal attempt.

Experience and “street smarts” eventually took their toll as the Hawks were drawn more and more into an arm wrestle which they were physically never equipped to win. Several players had to be replaced due to the mounting injuries accrued in this ever more physical encounter. Hawks then suffered an other blow when they received a yellow for? To add to their woes the penalty was converted, Hawks 5 Dumfries 13.

There was a bit of “hand bags” during the final minutes of the game as both sides frustrations and no doubt fatigue took their toll, however honest handshakes were shared at the final whistle, and apologies offered. We lost, but as opined by several Dumfries players “that was much closer, and tougher than the last match”.

Honest physicality will come with experience, and drilling. The Brigadier assures me that we will invoke the spirit of “Creamy” down to OA and impart some “old school” rucking nouse to the lads! We competed well across the park, but again, we must be more competitive at the set piece and accurate at the breakdown. Be more cute and efficient at the line out, theirs and ours. Let’s make our “first up tackles” count.

Next up, “run away leaders” (sic) Ayr at “The Visitor Centre”. We can use this experience to our advantage, weather permitting. Let’s sign off the scheduled league fixtures with a good account of who we are, and where we plan to be. “sic itur ad astra”.

Once more our sincerest thanks go out to all at New Anniesland who offered shelter and succour to our fledgling troops.

Yours in Rugby
The Major.

This article was posted on 17-Jan-2013, 12:46 by Hugh Barrow.