Glasgow Accies 36 Stewartry 22

The small band of supporters who ventured out to a cold New Anniesland were awarded with a highly entertaining game of rugby that contained nine tries. For the first time this season Accies secured a 4 try bonus and this keeps their slim hope of promotion alive.
The first half certainly went in favour of Accies as they lead 22-5 at the interval and Mike Hermes had scored all 3 of Accies tries. Ali McLaren opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a well struck penalty goal. This was followed two minutes later with a well worked try.
A long kick to the corner put the visitor under pressure and from the subsequent line out Mike Hermes came in off his right wing to take an inside pass and sail through under the posts. Ali McLaren converted for 10-0.
Seven minutes later Scum half McLaren made a beautiful touch line break from close to his own line. Mike Hermes backed up on his inside and when McLaren delivered a well timed pass on the half way line Hermes simply scorched the remaining 50 metres for a try under the posts for McLaren to convert for 17-0.
A second Mclaren break released Hemes again for his hatrick. again McLaren converted.
Accies were coasting but in for a rude shock. The visitor had looked a good team from the start and belied their lowly position in the nether regions of the league. Right on half time they mounted a well organised series of attacks close to accies line. initially accies defence held out but the pressure proved to great and the forwards rolled over for an unconverted try.
half time Accies 24 Stewartry 5
The late first half score inspired the visitor and they were straight off the block at the start of the second session catching Accies cold. A well worked move created space and their speedy wing crossed at the corner for an excellent and deserved score. 24-10
Stewartry continued to keep the pressure on as accies started to become more ragged and the mistakes crept into their game. Stewartry were much better at winning the 50:50 ball.
As the pressure mounted Accies defended frantically but too robustly as the referee yellow carded Pete Meiklem for killing the ball.
Down to 14 men you might have thought that Accies could lose this game. However they were next to score even if it was against the run of play. A magnificently worked moved down a tight blindside released Craig Wright who did well to stay in the field of play to score. Again McLaren converted for 31-10.
At this stage Stewartry could have folded but the opposite happened and excellent handling and retention again created space from which they scored. 31-15.
Accies bounced back and from a driven line out hooker Matteo Giovanazzi emerged with the ball for a try. kicker McLaren had been replaced and the kick was missed 36-15.
still Stewartry would not lie down and scored a final try and conversion after some poor Accies tackling.
Good entertainment from two sides trying to play 15 man rugby.
Accies
R. Chassells
M. Hermes
A.Wilson
J.Adams
C.Wright
S.Chassells
A. McLaren

F.Cameron
C.Clarke
S. Cadwallader
M.Metlock
P. Meiklem
A.Pogrel
C. Tennant
S. Winter
Replacements used
A. Smith
M. Giovanazzi
M. Hendry

This article was posted on 18-Dec-2005, 13:18 by Hugh Barrow.