IRVINE RFC v GHKRFC 2nd MARCH 2013

Saturday saw GHK and their hard core of loyal support, a number of whom had on the previous evening attended Glasgow’s premier social event of the year – the Golden Oldies high tea, make the journey to Irvine for a league fixture.

It was a GHK line-up very much along the usual lines that got the game under way and from their first opportunity Davie Reed drilled a penalty deep in to the home twenty-two. A series of scrums followed with the visitors clearly on top and turning down the offer of three points from a penalty confirmed that early ascendancy. Good possession was secured at a scrum and that set the platform for a series of assaults on the home line. This was ultimately breached by Mike Borthwick and Davie Reed added the extras. 7-0 to GHK with less than five minutes on the clock.

Irvine had not enjoyed much in the way of possession or territory in the first quarter of the match but they stuck to it and with the aid of a few penalties conceded by the visitors worked their way in to the GHK half without really threatening the try line. However, when GHK were penalised for not rolling away more or less on their own ten metre line, I think we all assumed that the ball would be stuck in to the corner, but the Irvine kicker had other ideas and went for the three points, comfortably clearing the bar from some distance out. 7-3 to GHK. The lead up to that penalty saw Craig McPhee clattered and having to leave the field to be replaced by Gordi Reid.

Having kicked so well for the first Irvine penalty, it was something of a let off for GHK when the home side’s kicker fell short with what looked like an easier attempt. The visitors capitalised on this via the first bit of real quality play in the half. A clean break by Mike Borthwick from just inside his own half took play deep in to Irvine territory, this was taken on by Danny Hoffman and with the home defence scrambling great support play by Hugo Lough saw him drive over for a very fine try. Davie Reed converted making the score 14-3 with about five minutes of the half remaining.

That score seemed to give GHK a bit of momentum but with not long left of the half the question was would there be enough time remaining to capitalise on that raised level of intensity? The answer to that was yes, as with the last play of the half, from a lineout about ten metres from the home line Gordi Reid was driven over for what seems to be his compulsory score. Davie Reed’s conversion attempt from wide left drifted just left of the posts. 19-3 to GHK at half time.

In the opening ten minutes of the second half, both sides exchanged penalties making the score 22-6 to GHK. There were a few penalties being conceded at this time and consequently the game was a bit stop start. However, as the match moved in to the last half hour the visitors again stepped up the pace and intensity. A probing kick ahead by Greg Woolard (no way was it a sclaff) in midfield was gathered by Rory Love at pace and he finished off under the posts. Davie Reed converted. 29-6 to GHK. Fraser McLeod replaced Gregor Hollerin at this point.

Four minutes later, with the game opening up, a flowing backs move saw Callum Ruxton given space on the left wing and he finished off in some style. Again Davie Reed converted from well out on the left wing. 36-6 to GHK. Robin Coates entered the fray replacing Scott Robertson.

It would have been easy for Irvine heads to go down, especially as they had suffered a heavy defeat last week, but they rallied and pressured the visitors’ line. This brought out some committed and disciplined defence from the entire GHK side with
Davie Reed and Mike Borthwick particularly prominent in repelling a series of drives by the home side. Scott Robertson’s bench time was brought to an abrupt end as he was called back to duty replacing Adam McLay who had taken a knock.

GHK’s final score came about as a result of some fine back play with the scoring pass being given by Rory Love who put over his fellow winger Callum Ruxton in the left corner. Davie Reed’s almost flawless kicking performance continued with another smart conversion from the left hand touchline. Greg Woolard made way for John Mill slotted in to the front row with Gordi Reid demoted to scrum half.

The last score of the game fell to Irvine whose efforts were rewarded with a fine try with three minutes to go. It was a quality score brought about by pressure and a series of assaults on the GHK line. The home side deserve great credit for sticking to it and the try was well deserved. The conversion was missed giving a final score of Irvine 11 GHK 43.

GHK Man of the match Davie Reed

This was another good performance with at time some very fine rugby indeed. As ever there are areas to be worked upon, but a very satisfactory day’s work. This Friday (8th March) sees East Kilbride visit Old Anniesland for what promises to be a keenly contested fixture. EK have been winning regularly and scoring freely so the come to our patch in a rich vein of form. It should be quite an encounter. OA is clearly the place to be next Friday. Get out and support the boys – even better, bring a pal.
This article was posted on 3-Mar-2013, 14:23 by Ronnie Gourley.

This article was posted on 3-Mar-2013, 22:25 by Hugh Barrow.