Report for Saturday 2nd November 2013
RBS Shield Match between Glasgow Accies and GHK at OA.
Once the lunchtime rainfall of Noah’s biblical proportions had eased and as if by another miracle it appeared the pitch was still playable – (a real credit to the ground staff at OA) – one looked out hoping that there was a serious medical presence to adequately cope with the real threat of hypothermia!
The mini rugby match that preceded the afternoon’s main event, did not go well for Accies and we all hoped it was not an omen.
Both clubs had agreed that this RBS Shield match would also double up for the Annual memorial match between the two clubs for the “Dave Gilmour Trophy”
Accies kicked off playing into the cold wind and freezing rain. (Are you getting the picture?) and immediately put GHK under pressure and despite the Arctic conditions, were playing their usual passing game and doing it well. They sustained this pressure, on a somewhat shell shocked GHK for the first 10 to 15 minutes. This was never going to be an easy day for kicking and Accies missed a good opportunity to take a 3 point lead. Despite some good handling and driving from backs and forwards GHK seized an opportunity to kick themselves in to the Accie half where they were awarded a penalty 40 meters out, which their talented No10 converted
Score 3-0
Accies were certainly not fazed by this set back, and in fact showing real commitment, worked their way back into GHK territory and were awarded a penalty which they kicked into the corner. The forwards then worked the GHK pack and after several good mauls released the ball to the “debut” scrum half Frazer Wilson, standing in for the injured Ben Frame, his long pass saw Stewart Seaton delay his pass just enough for Brad Bell, the inside centre to draw the defenders onto him and the ball fell beautifully into the waiting hands of Mike Hermes, who had run on an arcing run from the blindside wing, he drew the outside centre and passed to Graham Bryden who powered through the gap to scampered in from 20meters to score. This was duly converted by Stewart Seaton. Score 3-7
These clashes are never dull and both sides were trying to use all 15 players. However GHK were keen to show why they are top of the West 1 league and with good use of the boot, got themselves into Accies 22, where a conceded penalty allowed their outside half to add the three points. He was a key player for GHK, playing a pivotal role, both with the boot and with his strong running. Score 6-7
It seemed that Accies had weathered this particular storm but when GHK were awarded another penalty 40 metres out, up stepped the metro boot to convert it. Half Time Score 9-7
Half time hot Bovrils or even a brandy, might have seemed appropriate for the players, such were the conditions.
What a second half we had in store. Not one of the 30 players on the pitch was going to take a step back and despite the atrocious conditions the ball was moved from side to side and up the middle. Most of the second half was played between the 22’s and what a great spectacle it was, with powerful forward play, great handling and total commitment in defence, particularly by Accies.
It certainly demonstrated that rugby is possible in these conditions if BOTH teams are prepared to play rugby!
20 minutes into the second half Accies appeared to take their foot off the peddle slightly and GHK took full advantage. This was their best period of the game and they camped inside Accies 22. Ball moving left and right but, as was the case throughout the game, every Accie on the park tackled as if their lives and those of their team mates depended on it. Accies survived this period of pressure and in turn worked the ball back into the GHK half. Good work by several of the Accie forwards put enough pressure on the GHK ball carrier that they concede a penalty just on the 22 metres line. Up stepped Stewart Seaton to slot over the kick and put Accies in front Score 9-10
GHK were very fortunate to be able to bring on Chris Barnes at prop, the talented Hawks and Scotland under 20 player to bolster their front row. What a final 15 minutes it was, as GHK through everything they had left into the fray and were disappointed, at one point, not to have been awarded a try, but as the referee’s report and the records will show, they did not score. GHK were, however, awarded a penalty opportunity late on, which there hitherto Mr Dependable missed much to the relief of all Accie supporters and disappointment of theirs!
Accies hung on and ended the game with the win they have been searching for this past 5 years. Yes this was a horrendous day to play rugby but both sides only know one way to do that and gave the large number of spectators present a game of real skill, commitment and no shortage of excitement. Final Score 9-10.
This “young” Accies side really grew up this afternoon and can now go forward and get better with the confidence this hard won victory will give them.
MOTM: As I have said every one of the players that took to the pitch today gave 100%. It is therefore a difficult choice to pick out just one player, but after discussion amongst the Captain and coaching team, Michael Walker was awarded MOTM, congratulations to him.
Referee watch: These are never good or easy conditions to referee a game of this speed and commitment, but Mr Longton did a fine job. He let the game flow and as far as I could see missed very little. I am sure Mike would agree with me that it is always easier to referee two sides that want to play rugby and never gave him a moment to think about having to use his yellow card! So all in all a very satisfactory game 9 out of 10
Next match is a home league game against Newton Stewart, and there is a special lunch being organised by Mike Belch, don’t miss it!!! Saturday 16th November.

This article was posted on 3-Nov-2013, 18:50 by Hugh Barrow.