GHK v Allan Glens – Saturday September 7th 2013

Allan Glens were GHK’s league first foots at Old Anniesland this weekend.
As was the case when the teams met at the end of last season it was Glens who were quickly in to their stride and it was very much with the run of early play when the visitors crossed for a try after six minutes, taking advantage of some slackness in the home defence. The conversion was pulled wide.

If truth be told GHK did seem a little lethargic in these early exchanges and that too mirrored what happened last season. Then, the less than sparkling opening plays by GHK were attributed, at least in part, to the effects of a pre-match dressing room rallying call by outgoing President Gourley. It should be made clear that Mr Gourley played no part in the weekend’s match preparations and he can be completely absolved from any responsibility for the home side’s sluggish start. However, just to be safe, there was some suggestion that a past presidential exclusion zone had been established around the home dressing room.

Eventually GHK started to put together a few plays and Hugh Parker, Paul Polson and Gregor Hollerin were all prominent in forward drives. It was after a series attacking combinations that Hugo Lough crossed for his third try in two games, very impressive for a second row forward. The conversion by Davie Reed grazed the wrong side of the post.
5-5 after fifteen minutes

Glens continued to carry a threat through forwards and backs and they moved the ball well, especially when in the hands of full back Hamilton who ran some great lines and created uncertainty in the home defence whenever he was in possession. The home defence had by this time got its act together and GHK were generally a good bit tighter. From a turnover in midfield, Cammy Brown made a cracking break and the supporting Hugh Parker powered over from twenty metres out. The conversion slipped by. 10-5 to GHK after twenty one minutes.

A few moments later GHK passed up a great chance to add try number three when, after a break by Hugh Parker was taken on by Mikey Aird, the scoring pass to Gregor Hollerin was adjudged to have gone forward. Most observers were of the view that scrum half Aird could have made the line himself. Glens in turn missed a chance to reduce the leeway, but only just, as a well struck penalty from forty metres came back off a post.

The home side were now making more of their possession and another bout of pressure in the Allan Glens’ twenty two offered up a chance for Stuart Hugh to join his second row partner on the score sheet, an opportunity that he gratefully accepted as he ploughed over for a home score. It was third time lucky for Davie Reed as he added the extras. 17-5 to GHK.

Back came Glens and a kick to the corner gave them good field position. A catch and drive from the line out trundled towards the GHK line. The ball was then spread wide by the Glens backs and they made ground only to be held up, under the shadow of the posts, by some desperate defending by the hosts. As it turned out, some of that resistance was illegal. A yellow card was produced and Mikey Borthwick earned himself a ten minute time out. Displaying some smart game management, the visitors declined the offer of an easy three points and opted for a set scrum. The home back row being a man down, when Glens won clean ball at the scrum, it was no surprise when the visiting scrum half skipped over for a try that was converted making the score 17-12 in favour of GHK.
That was how it stood at half time.

The four GHK replacements took to the field en bloc for the start of the second half. All the changes were like for like with the exception of Greg Woolard who was taking the place of the impressive Cammy Brown whose tight hamstring was being risked no further. His departure saw Mike Aird move over to the centre berth with Greg covering at scrum half.

GHK, with the wind at their backs, seemed to have a better rhythm in the second half and managed to gain some decent field positions without ever really threatening the Glens’ line. It appeared that the home side were perhaps trying a bit too hard as individuals, and when things were not coming off, a sense of frustration was evident in the GHK ranks. All the while Glens still carried a threat and backed themselves again when another very kickable penalty was rejected and the ball planted in the corner for an attacking line out. Whilst Glens duly got possession from the line out, the home defence was sound and the threat repelled.

The game had kind of drifted in to the last quarter when GHK finally put a bit of daylight between themselves and their opponents and claimed their bonus point for try number four. Russell Johnston gathered a high ball on the left just inside the GHK half. He cut infield, straightened, breached the first line of defence, linked up with Adam Johnston and Danny Hoffmann who put Mikey Borthwick in close to the posts allowing Davie Reed a simple conversion. 24-12 to GHK with just over fifteen minutes to go.

A seventy metre break by Hugh Parker should probably have resulted in another score for GHK, but some committed scrambling defence by Glens kept the home side out. It was shortly after this break that Glens themselves, thanks to a smart interception by the dangerous full back Hamilton, took play virtually the length of the field and the roles were reversed as it was GHK’s turn to man the defensive barricades.

If we thought that the new scrum laws would put an end to endless re-setting of scrums and brisker set piece play, there was a three or four minute interlude late in the second half that might question that assertion. In fairness, it is early days for players and officials so it is probably too soon to make a call on this. The game ended with Glens camped deep in the GHK twenty two but the home side held out.

Full time GHK 24 Allan Glens 12

A bonus point win for GHK. The way that other results in the division shaped up, it looks as though it will indeed be a very keenly contested league with a number of sides very evenly matched.

GHK player of the day – Davie Reed

Next week GHK make the trip over the fence to renew our rivalry with Glasgow Accies. In the recent past these have been great games and fine adverts for Anniesland rugby. Get along and support the boys.

This article was posted on 9-Sep-2013, 10:41 by Hugh Barrow.