GHK welcomed Helensburgh to Old Anniesland on Saturday. The clash started with a game of tennis between the kickers, as GHK stand off Reed and Helensburgh full back Sterry began to feel each other out. Both showed their impressive tactical nous finding touch deep inside the opposing 22.

Anytime GHK did have the ball in hand, sloppy hands and over-eager runners were their downfall with the ball hitting the deck on several occasions. After a tense 15 minutes, which befitted the occasion of a top of the table tie, GHK brought on one of their game changers, Hugh Parker. Sadly, this came at the expense of Nick Hurn. The second-row has been extremely impressive in recent weeks, but on this occasion succumbed to a shoulder niggle.

The back three of GHK were working well together with Kiwi Patrick Cleave kicking well, while his wingers Ruxton and Taylor were both providing ample pressure via the chase and on two occasions, this resulted on a knock-on by the Helensburgh full back.

With Cleave and Reed kicking so well, it was only a matter of time before Borthwick got in on the act. Having kicked his first, and what many presumed, his last, competent punt of his rugby career so far, young Michael got a bit carried away. In the clear after an impressive break, he misinterpreted Hodge’s cries for “hot potato” and kicked an absolute spud. Borthwick’s new found kicking boots are beginning to wear thin.

GHK were making some impressive breaks with both Hoffmann and Ruxton asking questions of the Helensburgh defence. Meanwhile, Helensburgh were facing difficulties. Prior to the game, Sterry was pin-pointed as one to watch after finding many a hole in the GHK defence last season. However, this season, while he may have had legs like a cheetah, fortunately he had hands like a seal so didn’t cause too many problems.

From a line-out, GHK scored their first try. The ball was fed out to the backs and Hoffmann’s pass found dangerous centre Cammy Brown who broke through a number of tackles to score and David Reed converted.

GHK were now 10-0 up as Reed had slotted an earlier penalty. The stand-off was acting as conductor, expertly pulling the strings of a team that looked as if it was beginning to click. GHK could have been further up but the willing runners in GHK’s backline often didn’t back themselves.

This was of course, until Marc Taylor made the most of a chance, which was created by a trademark Davie Reed miss-pass and scored in the corner. It is now two tries in two games for the recent acquisition from Glasgow Hawks. Reed missed the conversion leaving the score at 15-0 and it stayed that way at a half-time which came significantly later than anticipated.

Helensburgh chased the game at the start of the second half with winger Bowman proving to be a difficult man to bring down on several occasions. The wind was taken out their sails when Harris, now playing scrum half attempted to take the impetus with a quick tap but instead knocked the ball on much to the elation of the crowd.

However, a couple of phases later, an awkward bounce of the ball allowed Helensburgh flanker Simmons an open channel down the right flank to score and bring Helensburgh five points closer to GHK, and the score stayed at 15-5 as the conversion was missed.

With this report still searching for a narrative, it was Drew Waddell who gave us one. The backs coach is known for his expert advice gave the backs some they could take to the bank. “Stop shovelling effluent” (or something slightly more alliterative to that effect) he exhorted. Only one question remained for the rest of the match, would they? The early indication was no, as several overlaps were not taken advantage of and it was soon after that Helensburgh reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Soon after the kick-off, GHK found themselves again with a ten point lead when Helensburgh were penalised for going over the top and David Reed took full advantage. After 60 minutes, some changes were in the offing when Nick Hurn returned to the pitch to replace Jamie McLean who deserved plaudits for his all action shift. The crowd had kittens when Scott “Persian” Roberston entered the fray in place of Paddy Cleave.

The powerful cat showed his safe hands and the strength of his boots at the first time of asking. He wasn’t the only one showing off his power, as Adam Johnstone and Paul Poauson appeared to channel the look of a mid 90’s wrestling tag team as they appeared ready for a fight with the entirety of the Helensburgh pack. The ref, who throughout the game had showed signalling clearly ahead of his time, took the side of the visitors and awarded Helensburgh a penalty following the melee. Helensburgh missed their penalty and the score remained at 18-8.

GHK increased their lead when Persian made himself known to the Helensburgh defence, cutting through them like a cat through a cat flap and in a phase which included some strong carrying from Paul Polson, Danny Hoffmann touched down, and Davie Reed converted to make the score 25-8.

Gordi “Gordon” Reid has been out of action for more than six weeks following a fight with a trampoline. Pound for pound, my money would have been on Gordi to win that particular battle but the speed of his wirey foe was too much for the beleaguered PE teacher who was knocked out and suffered a broken nose, making him just another statistic in the Southern General’s summertime trampoline related injury operation list.

With a spring in his step, this time, not in his face, the GHK legend returned to the pitch hoping he would fare far better against the Helensburgh XV than he has in recent weeks against inanimate objects.

GHK added to their tally before the end but sadly nobody in the crowd could make out who the scorer was, and that brave warrior who touched down from a rolling maul will have to go unrecognized this time, a try for the pack as a whole. David Reed again converted and the scoreboard read 32-8.

Man of the Match – Michael Aird, along with his half back partner David Reed took control in a match that needed it. Both were measured in both their kicking and distribution and neither were afraid to take risks when the situation required. Their leadership was integral to GHK’s best performance of the season so far. It was thanks to them that the GHK backs stopped “shovelling” once and for all.

This article was posted on 22-Oct-2013, 12:52 by Hugh Barrow.