Dear Diary,
On Saturday I travelled to Newton Stewart, with the 2nd XV expecting a harder fixture than that at Anniesland earlier in the season, where we scored 70 points. And, did we get it!

We travelled with a strong team and expected to win. The team started well and dominated the first half. The forwards were providing good possession and play was being dictated by Bill Criggie with the odd break from Russell Johnston. However, passes out wider were being spilled and if it was not for this one felt that many tries would have been scored. The backs later revealed that their balance had been affected by the holes and ruts in the pitch, which resembled an old meadow, and had virtually no markings, with only the flag poles and goal posts for reference points. As it was, from a speculative kick forward by Newton Stewart there was an awful mix up between the back-tracking Christie, and the static McGonnigle (OK, he was playing out of position) and Newton sneaked in for a breakaway try, to trail by only a few points at the interval. At this stage one would have placed a hefty wager on a GHK victory, but for the fact that we were under a setting sun amongst the undulating Galloway hillsides, surrounded by grazing cattle and sheep, and not a sign of a bookmaker within miles.

How fortunate that was, as the second half saw a remarkable turnaround, with GHK appearing to run out of steam as possession dried up and the game was played in defence, around the fringes of rucks and mauls, as Newton wisely decided against the risk of using their backs against the superior GHK set. That defence was stout, with Newton players ‘held-up’ in in-goal three times, and much action taking place in the GHK half. It is difficult to pick out stars as the effort appeared to be equitably distributed amongst all players. Why the team ran out of steam was the subject of much debate. Was it the three-week layoff for the Internationals? Was it the lack of physical activity during this time? Was it that we ran out of time to stop for lunch, thereby not supplying sufficient fuel to our bodies? Was it that Ken O’Callaghan substituted himself at half time, and we missed his not inconsiderable physical presence at that crucial time at the start of the second half? In truth it was probably a combination of all these factors. That chap Higgins at centre had a good game. I don’t know where he came from but I hope he returns soon. Some other backs were caught off-side too frequently, and must learn to retreat with the back foot of rucks and mauls.

The changing room afterwards was a subdued place, given that it was an agricultural barn with no heating and that the few showers were cold as our match finished after an early kick-off Bowl fixture. However, the food was good, the hot soup especially so, as you would expect if cooked by farmer’s wives.

It was pleasing to note that the match was admirably controlled by the excellent David Drysdale, (ex Kilmarnock and Wigtownshire front row) who gave a virtuoso performance demonstrating common sense alongside expert knowledge and application of the laws. How I wish we saw someone with his qualities every week!

The team was 15 McGonnigle; 14 Christie; 13 A Johnston; 12 Higgins (Makusha, 30); 11 Lewis; 10 Criggie; 9 R Johnston; 1 Gribben; 2 MacRae; 3 Moscrop (O‘Callaghan 55); 4 O’Callaghan (Nelson 40); 5 Fuchs; 6 MacLeod (Higgins 52); 7 Watson; 8 M Inglis. Substitutes not used Taylor, McNair.

The scorers were Criggie (lots) and either Higgins or R Johnston, and the score about 18-32.

Played nine, won five, hopes of promotion well and truly dashed, but we will have to work on developing our team style and set moves in preparation for next year. (Oh, and continue to have fun). Next week, Annan at home, kick-off 14.00 hours: the ultimate antidote to Christmas shopping.

This article was posted on 5-Dec-2005, 23:18 by Hugh Barrow.