GHK v Allan Glens Match Report

GHK v ALLAN GLENS
RBS WEST REGIONAL SHIELD, ROUND 1 – SATURDAY 05.10.2013

League rugby was given a week off this Saturday as GHK and Allan Glens squared up, for the second time in the space of a month, this time in the knock out competition, the RBS Regional Shield. When the sides met in early September there was less than a couple of scores between them, and despite the fact that they occupy positions almost at opposite ends of the league table, there were great expectations as these sides tend to produce high scoring and close encounters.

The GHK line up showed a few changes from the victory over Newton Stewart last weekend and at long last the administrative process had been cleared so as to allow Patrick Cleave to get his first start at full back for the ones. In addition, Ross Taylor, Ryan Barr and David Sewell brought a freshness to the home starting XV.

It should be recorded that pre match a fine lunch was enjoyed by supporters, sponsors, guests from Allan Glens, a couple of crocked players and a few old friends of the club in the Jimmy Ireland stand. Alan James and his team ensured that the diners were well fed and all set fair for the match ahead. By the time kick off came round the sun was shining on the very reasonable crowd that had assembled in the stand and beyond.

In recent weeks GHK have not always hit the ground running, but today they were quickly through the gears and Glens had some early defending to do in their twenty two. After a few smart passages of play an Allan Glens’ infringement gave Mike Aird the chance for three points from a penalty and the scrum half/kicker for the day got the score board moving. From the restart GHK continued to dictate play and it was no great surprise when, after a penalty was kicked to the Glens’ corner, Kieran Boles was driven over for a fine forwards’ score. The conversion was just out of range but an eight point advantage to GHK was just reward for a brisk start by the home XV.

When Glens visited OA recently they showed a very tenacious quality and today was no different. They got themselves in to some good positions and, again as before, full back McKeown was a constant threat to the host’s defence. A penalty for offside against the GHK backs gave Glens their first points of the day. This was followed by a cracking try for Glens when the aforementioned full back showed his class by breaching the home defence and sprinting clear over the line for a try that was converted. An eight point deficit had been transformed to a two point lead for the visitors in what seemed like no time at all. 10 – 8 to Allan Glens and that was show it stood at half time after Mike Aird pulled a penalty wide.

GHK started the second half very brightly and within a few moments Mike Aird had put them ahead courtesy of a penalty. Within the space of the next five minutes two tries from Mike Borthwick, one of which was converted by scrum half Aird, put a decent space between GHK and their guests. Another Aird penalty took the score to 26-10 and the home side appeared to have turned the game entirely in their favour with the game not yet in to its final quarter.
GHK were now in the ascendancy in most areas of play. As Glens tried to run from deep in their own half, pressure from the GHK defence forced a handling error and from that Adam McLay plundered possession and romped over for a try. The conversion made it another seven pointer. The final score came when, from a lineout in a good attacking position, GHK drove on with Mike Borthwick getting close and Hugh Parker eventually touching down. You know who added another two points.

That was how it finished up, a 40-10 victory for GHK, brought about by virtue of a good start to the match and a very dominant second half performance that saw thirty two points scored and none conceded.

GHK man of the match – Callum Ruxton

In the next round, the quarter finals, which are due to be played on November 2nd, GHK have a home tie against Glasgow Accies. By that time the early kick offs will be in place, so make sure to set your alarm clocks and do whatever is necessary to get to OA for a 2.00 kick off (or maybe even earlier to soak up the pre match delights). GHK and Accies always provide a cracking game of rugby and the prospect of a semi-final place on offer will no doubt add even more spice to the encounter.
This article was posted on 6-Oct-2013, 15:43 by Alistair Wood.

This article was posted on 6-Oct-2013, 19:26 by Hugh Barrow.