Both Accies teams won this week-end, and we are in good heart, with the 1st XV now lying 4th in their league and the 2ndXV in 3rd place in their league,…with 2 games in hand.
Next Saturday 2nd. Nov… ‘Shield’ game against GHK at Old Anniesland.
SATURDAY’S MATCH REPORT …… By Donald Reid
It has to be said that the 1st.XV match at Bishopbriggs was not the spectacle that we would hope to see when Accies take the field. The Glens forwards started the stronger, and their scrum put real pressure on the Accies pack. However strong defence and a total commitment by Accies kept Glens out, and it looked as if Accies were capable of attacking from deep. It was at the end of one of these impressive counter attacks that our talented and dependable scrum-half, Ben Frame, was tackled, just short of the line, which resulted in him having to leave the pitch with a nasty knee injury. It can be disruptive losing your No9, and so it was for Accies. Left winger Andy Brown had to take over at scrum-half, and Graham MacCallum was introduced on the wing for his first game in the 1st.XV
Neither side dominated in any area of play. However, after 36 minutes when Glens flanker was yellow carded Accies took full advantage, and following good work by hooker Ker Malcolm with an excellent break down the right, the ball was recycled, and passed through many hands to the left,… where the intrusion of full-back Ross Cowan put debutant winger MacCallum in the clear, for a 30 metre sprint for a fine score in the corner. … Score 0-5
Half time was reached with no further scoring, but the Accies support would likely have been hoping for a second half return to the form that had brought last week’s huge victory against Annan.
However that was not to be the case, and with the arrival of the wind and rain, both sides struggled to get the ball wide,… so as a spectacle the game never really got going, and Accies were struggling to contain the ‘beefy’ Glen’s pack which was pretty adept at gaining ‘turn-over’ ball, … something I am sure coach John Couper will be working to eliminate on the training ground! On the 20 minute mark, Glens were awarded a penalty just outside Accies 22 which their No 10 duly converted. ……. Score 3-5
It was clear that there was now real tension on the touchline for the supporters of both sides, and it looked like a score either way, might just settle this contest.
Sadly, Accies exciting full back, Ross Cowan, who had shown touches of real quality with his runs out of defence, received a wrist injury which resulted in his departure, and brought about the debut of Ian Gillies, another product of St Columbas School, Kilmacolm,
Following the loss of the two of our key players the team sadly seemed to allow their ‘game-plan’ to be forgotten. However, they were, without doubt, still the more dangerous with ball in hand, but were finding it really difficult to retain possession and to create any continuous attacks.
Glens aggression up front, and their huge commitment, meant that they were always in the game, and they put serious pressure on Accies throughout, at the breakdown, in whatever way they could. However they never looked likely to break Accies outstanding defence, but they did work their way into Accies half, and with 5 minutes to go were awarded a penalty 30 metres out on the left, which their stand-off duly converted, and Accies were down for the first time in the game. eir stand-off duly converted, and Accies were down for the first time in the game. ….. Score 6-5.
Visits to Bishopbriggs over the years for Accies have brought about some close-fought encounters, and this visit was no different. However, ‘Mother fortune’ was with Accies on this occasion, and it was Glens who were to be the ones to suffer the last minute agony. They had been determined not to give up a victory they had worked so hard for, and were tackling everything that moved, but from a loose ruck inside their 22, they kicked the ball through and it fell into the hands of Accies inside centre Brad Bell, who, looking somewhat surprised, drew on all his experience, and dropped a fine goal from 30 metres to win the game for Accies. ….. Final score 6-8
This was never going to be a classic, but credit must go to both teams for giving 100% for the entire match. It was a game for the dedicated supporter and both teams deserved to get something from the game. …… CONT. p2 (under)
MOTM: A difficult choice this week, as Brad Bell saved the day with his last-minute drop-goal, … scrum-half Ben Semple looked very dangerous for the short time he was on the field, .. Hooker Ker Malcolm was his usual dynamic self, and Michael Walker worked tirelessly behind a retreating scrum. But for this scribe the player who stood out throughout his time on the pitch was full-back Ross Cowan, steady under the high ball, quicker than any other player, and very exciting to watch.
REFEREE: Ken Robertson, a well-known face in the West, was very fair, and kept a tight grip on the game, and despite some issues at the breakdown and scrum, was able to keep a low profile …. (despite his pink jersey) ….. always a good sign in these games. …8 out of 10

This article was posted on 28-Oct-2013, 11:59 by Hugh Barrow.