GHK v Annan Match Report

GHK v Annan RBS West League 1 – Saturday 30 November 2013
Annan were GHK’s opponents in their first league match of the season back in late August. In that fixture GHK put together a period of play where everything they touched turned to tries. Hopeful of a repeat performance, the faithful GHK support assembled to witness Annan get proceedings underway on what was a great day for a game of rugby.
From the kick off, debutant Duncan Carter, with probably his first possession in a GHK jersey, powered through the centre and an early score looked on until the Annan defensive cover scrambled and the danger was averted. It was however a declaration of intent on the part of the hosts. For their part, the visitors had clearly got the long drive up the M74 out of their system as they quickly slipped in to their off-loading game, and with captain/stand-off McCann directing operations, they kept GHK on the alert.
With no game last week, GHK did look a little rusty and a few passes were going awry. However, the hosts stuck to it and in due course they were rewarded with the opening try. A GHK attack took play to the Annan twenty-two. When the visitors were penalised, Danny Hoffmann took a quick tap penalty and was held up just short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and the defence was stretched further. Again, good quick possession was delivered to the waiting GHK backs and, when the ball was moved along the line, it was that man Hoffmann who gave a scoring pass to Jez Hanks (trying his hand at centre) who slid over beside the posts for a try that Davie Reed converted. 7-0 to GHK.
From the restart, Annan managed to spend some time in GHK territory and when the hosts were adjudged offside, stand- off McCann got his side off the mark. He added a further three points just after the half hour when again GHK infringed at the offside line. GHK had been playing well enough, but good field positions were being lost when a loose pass was thrown or the dogged Annan defence simply frustrated the home side’s efforts.
It looked as though a one point lead was all the GHK would take in to the half time interval, however, with the last action of the half, after a number of positive phases of play, the ball was moved right and the aforementioned Jez Hanks (now trying his luck on the right wing) crashed over in the corner. A fine touchline conversion from Davie Reed made it 14-6 for GHK at the break.
With a bit of a breeze behind them in the second half, GHK were able to keep their guests hemmed in their own half. The home forwards were delivering good possession in the tight with both scrum and lineout being regular sources of useable ball. In addition, the home eight were making their presence felt in the loose competing for everything with an abrasive Annan pack. When Captain Pete Ritchie had to leave the field for a blood injury, Lewis Brock entered the fray taking his place in the middle row as a series of attacking scrums close the Annan line commenced. The GHK pack definitely had an edge and, with the Annan scrum creaking, the ball was picked up by Mike Borthwick who linked with Mikey Aird, who in turn fed Danny Hoffmann who crashed in to his opposite man and spun out of the tackle and over for try number three for the home side. The conversion was just wide but a 19-6 lead with about half an hour to go was a great position for GHK to be in as they looked for a fourth try.
Fresh legs in the form of Kieran Boles, Cammy Mclay and Nick Hurn replaced Gordi Reid, Chris Barnes and Jamie McLean, all of whom had made serious contributions to the GHK effort. It did appear that the home side were looking to get that vital bonus point try as soon as possible. The new boys helped GHK keep that strangle-hold in the tight. That department was further aided when Captain Ritchie returned, replacing Davie Sewell who had put in another afternoon of hard graft continuing his education in the dark arts of the second row. The scrum pressure continued and on the hour mark, almost inevitably, the home pack rumbled on for a pushover try that Davie Reed converted. 26-6 to GHK
The time that remained saw Annan come back in to the game both in terms of territory and possession. That was to their immense credit. It may have been that GHK felt that they now had the bonus point win they were seeking. That is a possibility. It may be that certain players’ minds were drifting to other pressing matters such as spray tans and waxing. Thankfully, there was a discernable pride in keeping the home try line secure and despite several phases of attacking play from Annan in the GHK twenty two, they were unable to unlock the resolute home defence.
Final score GHK 26 Annan 6
GHK Man of the match – for demonstrating that there is still plenty in the tank, scoring one and assisting with another, it can only be Danny Hoffmann.
Another vital bonus point win that keeps GHK in pole position with some big games coming over the horizon. Well done to our new centre, mind you any side with D Carter on the team sheet might be expected to deliver.
Thanks to Annan for a game played in the right spirit with two sides looking to go forward at every opportunity. They have more than enough talent to secure their place in this league. Good luck for the rest of the season.
For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that GHK Second XV enjoyed a fine victory by 41-17 over Glasgow Accies to earn another bonus point win in their own league campaign. A number of players are making themselves serious contenders for a place in the senior fifteen. The twos are on the march!

This article was posted on 1-Dec-2013, 10:52 by Ronnie Gourley.

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This article was posted on 1-Dec-2013, 22:20 by Hugh Barrow.