Saturday, to a damp and dreich Dunbar,with son, to see Hawks dispose of
a determined Dunbar side in the cup. Great to see Mike Rainey back in Hawks
colours, although it was a pity that it was Mike and not Richie Maxton storming
down the left wing in the second half for that almost head high crossfield
kick by Mike Adamson.

Sunday, to a bright, but muddy, Ayr to watch son and other Under 15s at Millbrae.

At least I get to see Scotland supporting the Hawks.

Ayr hasn't been too kind to the young Hawks in the past, losing at S1 and
drawing at S2, although there are claims that both were won, but unfortunately
the referee was unsighted for Hawks tries.

Sunday saw a new referee - one Sandy Service, of West of Scotland and Ayr
fame. There was a bit of an old boys reunion with Hawks dads David Hogg and
Dave Campbell, but Sandy was most disappointed that Hawks coach Jim Gossmanwas
unable to make the trip - Sandy had brought a red card in anticipation of
Jim's touchline guidance.

Sandy will be visiting Anniesland for Saturday's match with Watsonians.

To the game: Hawks started off brightly attacking Ayr from the kick off.

Underfoot conditions were muddy and heavy, but that did not stop Hawks from
trying to play an expansive game, bringing the backs into play as much as
possible. Ayr on the other hand relied on kicking over Hawks defence.

Hawks were camped in the Ayr half, but dropped balls, turnovers and some
tremendous defence by Ayr repelled Hawks time and again, one notable combined
tackle on captain Kris McDonald putting him out of play as he crossed the
try line. Hawks were held up over the Ayr line at least twice as they increased
the pressure on the hosts.

The breakthrough eventually came when Oliver McInnes was released just inside
the Ayr 22 and he danced through tackles before passing to Kerr Gossman who
swivelledl through the remaining defence to go under the posts. Try converted
by Euan Robertson.

From the restart the Ayr forwards charged into Hawks 22 and laid seige to
the Hawks line. The Hawks defence remained firm as the Ayr forwards battered
their way towards the line, eventually Ayr moved the ball to their back line
from where a grubber kick through Hawks defence gave Ayr an equalising try.

Worse was to follow for Hawks when yet another grubber kick found its way
through to an un-named Hawks back who attempted to return the ball up the
park. Unfortunately he missed the ball, giving the chasing Ayr player a clear
run to the line for a converted try. That's what happens when you spend your
Saturday's watching a so called football team from the Govan area.

Half Time Ayr 12 Glasgow Hawks 7

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Hawks attacking
Ayr.

Hawks Jamie Murphy charged down an Ayr clearance over the try line, but Ayr
defence got to the ball first. Jamie was not to be denied, a second charge
down resulted in Hawks second try.

Hawks continued to press, and, had Kerr Gossman taken advantage of a two
man supporting overlap a further try would have resulted.

Ayr could have sealed the game when awarded a penalty in front of the posts.
The home side elected to run the ball in an attempt to score the winning
try, but fantatstic Hawks defence firstly held them up and then pushed the
maul back before turnover ball allowed the Hawks to clear their line.

The last move of the game saw a break away by Kris McDonald, supported by
Jamie Murphy, with both players clear on the left wing Kris chose to kick
the ball on in the hope of winning a chase. Unforunately for Hawks the ball
bounced kindly in the Ayr 22 to allow the full back to clear to touch and
Mr. Service to blow for no side.

Full Time Ayr 12 Glasgow Hawks 12

Congratualtions to both teams for a great game of rugby in difficult conditions.

We Under 15 fathers are a supportive bunch and also try to help referees
as much as possible, especially as there is no video referee at this level.
We tried to give Mr. Service as much help as possible on Sunday, and had
a thoroughly enjoyable chat with him in the clubhouse after the game.

At least he didn't have to listen to the misplaced loyalties of one anonymous
Hawks father, heard to shout "Come on Greenock" at Fort Matilda a couple
of weeks ago! Answers on a post card. We have it on video.

Next Sunday we host Dalziel,who are currently second in the league and the
only team to beat Greenock - should be a stroll!

Gordon

This article was posted on 5-Dec-2005, 21:20 by Hugh Barrow.