GHK v Glasgow Accies Match Report

GHK v Glasgow - Accies RBS Shield Quarter Final November 2nd 2013

For the second weekend on the spin the weather gods looked less than kindly on rugby fans in the west of Scotland, but despite that, when GHK took on very local Glasgow Accies at Old Anniesland on Saturday the players of both sides served up a quality game of rugby in conditions that were truly awful. The groundsman and drainage system at Anniesland deserve great credit for providing a pitch that somehow succeeded in surviving a downpour of biblical proportions.

GHK had the advantage of wind, rain and tidal conditions in the first half. HAccies got proceedings underway A Accies got proceedings underway and almost instantly retrieved possession from the GHK pack. Playing in to the elements, the visitors immediately clicked in to gear and protected the ball, moved the GHK defence about and generally gave the impression that they were not at all fazed by the conditions. This seemless period of Accie possession was brought to an end when GHK strayed offside. A shot at goal was always going to be a challenge and the kick drifted just wide.

At last GHK got their hands on the ball and succeeded, via a combination of good handling and using the gale, to get the ball in to the visitors’ territory. This time it was Accies who infringed and Scott Robertson stepped up to confidently open the scoring with a penalty from about thirty five metres.

Accies’ reply was instant and again belied the conditions. Controlled possession and smart kicking got them in to a good position just inside the GHK twenty two on the Accies’ left. A good line out take was smoothly transmitted along the line and after a few episodes of recycling, the Accies number 12 Bell ran a great line and breached the GHK defence to cross over for a smart score that was converted. 7-3 to accies after eleven minutes.

GHK started to use the following wind and were retaining possession better and exerting a bit of pressure on the Accies XV. Over anxiety at the line by the visitors gave Scott Robertson another penalty chance and he was up to the challenge. There was now only one point in it. Accies continued to move the ball at every opportunity and succeeded in spending decent spells in GHK territory despite the conditions they were facing in the first period. There was a fine structure and rhythm to the Accies play. However, there was always the likelihood the one strong clearing kick would take play back down in to the Accies twenty two and it was from one such episode that Scott Robertson was given another penalty chance after a tackle was adjudged to have been high. The GHK stand off was striking the ball sweetly and he helped his side retake the lead 9-7 with the half moving in to the closing stages.

Marc Taylor, the GHK right wing, demonstrated great hands and speed by taking play from one twenty two to the other. This was the overture to a period of intense pressure by GHK who were really pushing for a score before half time. Accies defended resolutely and themselves managed a searing breakout or two. It was quite remarkable given that the half had been played in such unforgiving conditions that both sides had managed to play rugby of such a high standard, particularly in terms of handling. The last chance of a further score in the first half was an attempt at goal from Scott Robertson but on this occasion his aim was just off line. Half time 9-7 to GHK.

There was to be no change in wind direction nor any significant relenting of rainfall so when the second act got underway it was GHK’s turn to face the meteorological challenges (as well as the small matter of a very lively Accies side). As frequently happens, the team playing in to the gale seemed to pay no regard to the conditions and took the game to the opposition despite the problems that the weather created. The GHK pack was starting to dominate in the tight and remarkably sure handling saw the hosts gaining ground in to Accie territory regularly. There were fine contributions by the entire GHK pack but perhaps special mention should be made of second rows David Sewell, Lewis Brock and replacement Connor Gallagher who, despite their relative inexperience at this level, got seriously stuck in to the job in hand.

Not surprisingly the game continued to ebb and flow. Accies finally edged in front after about sixty four minutes when GHK were penalised for not releasing and stand off Seaton calmly (well it looked calm anyway) slotted over three very precious points.

The GHK reply was to up the level of intensity even further. A front row change saw Chris Barnes on for Colin Neilson. GHK were now seriously disrupting Accie’s ball at scrum time. Mike Aird appeared to have scored a try for GHK but was called back for a scrum. GHK kept the visitors pinned deep in their own twenty two for prolonged periods but the Accies defence stood firm. Given that the thirty plus players had been exposed to such cold, wet, windy and utterly dreich weather for such a prolonged period, it was testament to exceptional levels of skill and concentration that passes were going to hand and high booming kicks were being securely fielded. But they were and so it continued right in to the closing stages.

The departing Hugh Parker went close as did Marc Taylor and Callum Ruxton. Adam Mclay punched holes in a tiring defence and Mike Borthwick nearly made it to the line. The pressure was beginning to tell on the Accies defence and a penalty award for an infringement at the breakdown gave Scott Robertson the chance to restore the GHK lead with a kick from just outside the twenty two on the GHK right. Not many people would have envied him in his task and, on this occasion, the wind held the kick just outside the upright. The relief from the New Annieslanders was palpable. There were a couple of more plays with both sides, as ever, running the ball. Indeed with the very last attack of the game GHK almost opened up the Accie defence, but sadly for the hosts it was not to be.

Full time GHK 9 Glasgow Accies10

Well done Accies – Congratulations to your players, coaches and supporters. In the clubhouse afterwards the good wishes expressed for the next round were heartfelt and sincere. It was a close run thing and today was Accies’ day. A number of young, and a few not so young, GHK players put in great shifts today and that give huge encouragement for the future.

GHK Man of the match – Mike Borthwick
This article was posted on 3-Nov-2013, 22:05 by Alistair Wood.

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This article was posted on 4-Nov-2013, 09:54 by Hugh Barrow.