At the risk of being accused of plagiarising the posting style of a former and long-lamented Accies scribe, it was that “behemoth” of rock, Mr Meat Loaf who crooned way back in 1977 “Now don’t be sad (don’t be sad), Cause two out of three ain’t bad!”

No siree, 2 out of 3 WINS in a season against our nearest and dearest rivals ain’t bad at all, even if we’re only just ½ way through our campaign this season and Santa’s yet to visit. Yesterday was a battle of attrition for 80 minutes in the wind, rain and gloom of another pretty nasty December afternoon, with both sets of forwards hammering away at each other urged on by a typically partisan touchline crowd.

Admittedly news that GHK were forced into re-jigging their line-up just moments before the kick-off did gladden a few Accie hearts but you wouldn’t have known it from the off with GHK looking the livelier outfit in the opening exchanges. But the pressure was soaked up with committed defence throughout the half and though GHK came perilously close to crossing our line a couple of times, their efforts lacked a clinical edge. Though the first half remained pointless, there was no little endeavour from both sides as the match ebbed and flowed between the 22′s. Of some concern to us all in blue & white was the departure of F/B Ross after 20 minutes which forced us into rejigging things. But some smart reorganisation and an earlier than anticipated entrance to the arena for Ker on the wing (with Nifty moving to F/B) saw us quickly get back into our stride even if we couldn’t quite cross the whitewash.

The second half saw us gain the (slight) cross-field wind advantage and we proceeded to force the ball back into the GHK 22 at each opportunity. Our domination of the lineout continued with Michael and Kiran sensibly mixing up their positioning to win the ball more or less securely each time from Teo’s good service – I don’t think we lost a single lineout all afternoon and we even managed to pinch two or three. Pleasingly too our scrum was performing well and though there was one particular near catastrophe when our locks completely lost their footing on the sodden surface and the boys took a pounding as their counterparts drove through. But Teo took one against the head and on three occasions we completely drove them off the ball – a great “set-piece” performance throughout boys!

However, it was GHK who took first blood with a penalty and we were lucky that that advantage wasn’t doubled shortly thereafter. But we dominated the third quarter with sustained pressure at the other end of the field, and then got back into things with a Seato penalty. And those 3 points seemed to give us the momentum we needed and our forwards started to get on top though it was obvious to even the most myopic of those on the sidelines that this was going to be a very tight game.

And even though our pack ran itself virtually into the ground, it’d be wrong to suggest that our backs had a quiet or “off” day – they didn’t, and largely subdued a talented and physically more imposing GHK back line with sheer guts, good line speed and determined tackling. Gus had a couple of great runs from our own 22 and our centres now look as if their partnership is starting to “click”. Nifty was vociferous, commanded the “back 3″ well and his positional play was excellent throughout particularly under the high ball. Ker looked lively and nothing got past Mike down his side either. We even had the confidence to run a couple of quick penalties and whilst upon mature reflection those weren’t the smartest decisions we’ve ever taken, it showed our spirit and that we really wanted this win. But it wasn’t until the beginning of the 4th quarter that we managed to break the deadlock when, after winning turnover ball in our own half, smart interplay from Graham and Gus saw Loomsy deliver an outrageous pass to Ker who set off on a searing run down the left wing – the wee man was not going to be stopped and, despite a determined cover defence, touched down like a pro to give us what proved to be the winning score.

A huge cheer rang ’round Old Anniesland and the Accies Loyal exploded with pure, unadulterated joy – Christmas it seemed had definitely come early. But with a good 15 minutes left on the clock, GHK re-grouped and proceeded to apply some serious pressure – we coped, and sometimes it wasn’t pretty to watch, but we kept them out, pleasingly playing with a good deal of composure under their pressure. In the prevailing weather conditions, on a greasy, sticky surface the outcome of this game was always going to be determined by whichever pack gained the upper hand. Yesterday was our turn and the 9 forwards who pulled on the jersey for our spectating delight (Smithy coming on for Meekers who broke a bone in his hand) battled as one throughout.

Final Score: GHK 3, Accies 8

MOTM: Graham and Fabio tackled like men possessed, Beaver lasted the full 80 and Elliot probably had his best game in an Accies shirt. Ker for his obvious contributions was a contender too, but this week MOTM goes to Gus for his all-round effort throughout the whole game.

Ref Watch: Just one controversial moment, Ref Dougie Gilchrist from Mauchline yellow carded GHK’s no.9 for an act of petulance having warned all players just moments earlier against similar acts lest the contest descend into an exchange of handbags. And though, in the cold light of day the decision was perhaps a little harsh, if a ref warns players, you know he’s going to take action – he probably had no option. Other than that, Ref Gilchrist had a pretty good game given the conditions, though he did appear generous at times in his interpretation of the “back-foot” laws: unlike some, he seemed not to have eyes in the back of head to catch the offenders! A solid 7.5 / 10.

GHK v Glasgow Accies Match Report

GHK v Glasgow Accies – Saturday 21st December 2013
Thankfully the worst of the forecast rain did not appear at Old Anniesland in time for Glasgow Accies to get proceedings underway in the latest contest between Glasgow rugby’s oldest rivals. With the wind at their back GHK looked to get an advantage on the scoreboard in the first period. Despite a decent amount of possession, GHK lacked a cutting edge, and with Accies’ defence missing very little in the way of first up tackles, GHK’s somewhat direct and unsophisticated approach was not really threatening the visitors’ try line to any great extent.
Both sides missed kicks at goal which, on another day, might have been considered opportunities of a straightforward variety. GHK required to make an early change when Davie Sewell went off with what looked like a nasty knee injury to be replaced by Hugo Lough. The returning second row quickly caught up with the pace of the game and contributed well to the forward exchanges.
In the first half both sides did have chances to get a try on the board, but in fairness, both defences were giving nothing away and it was no great surprise when half time arrived with the game scoreless. Accies would probably have been more pleased having dealt with the wind and squally showers in their faces in the first half. It would be GHK’s turn to face the elements after the break.
Playing uphill, into the wind as well as the rain, GHK managed to get a bit of momentum going and played the first few minutes of the half in Accies’ territory. Whether minds had been focussed during the break or whatever, GHK definitely seemed to carry a more combative edge to their play that had been missing in the first half. This was quite possibly GHK’s best period of the game when they succeeded in pressurising their opponents in to making a number of errors and stifled any attacking intent that was coming from the visitors. That concentrated effort was rewarded when, after an Accie infringement, Davie Reed kick a penalty from about thirty meters, no mean feat in this weather, to give GHK a lead of three points with nearly fifty five minutes gone. It was just reward for the effort displayed by GHK in the opening stages of the second half.
The story goes that you are at you most vulnerable when you have just scored. GHK lived up to the billing when, straight from the kick off, Mike Borthwick was penalised for not releasing. A penalty in front of the posts was duly converted by the visiting stand off. Three all with the last quarter beckoning.
From the restart Accies did the sensible thing and hoofed the ball deep in to GHK territory where an attempt to run from well inside their own twenty two backfired as the Accie chasers scragged their opponents. An award of a penalty saw the visitors opt for a scrum when three points were on offer. Good defence by the home side managed to hold out an Academical side growing in confidence. Some further assaults on the home line were repelled and when a penalty was awarded to GHK, a chance to clear the lines had been presented. In the scuffle/scramble for the ball that one witnesses in every game, Greg Woolard was deemed to have infringed and a yellow card was produced. It did seem to be a pretty harsh decision by any standards. The penalty award to GHK was reversed and a modicum of justice was done when the attempt at goal slipped by.
The penalty count against the home side was mounting, possibly because of Accie domination at the breakdown and GHK being a body short. One further shot at goal by the visitors was off target. The fourteen were defending well but there was a noticeable momentum about the Academical effort. A couple of handling moves nearly made the breakthrough. The decisive score did come with about ten minutes to go when, having drawn in the stretched GHK defence, the ball was moved left and securely transferred to the left winger who touched down in the corner. It was probably fair reward for a prolonged period of attacking play during which the visiting backs had asked a lot of questions of the GHK defence. The fact that the score occurred when GHK were a man short could have been a factor, but increasing Accie pressure may have told in any event.
The last ten minutes saw GHK with a lot of possession and some forward momentum was generated without ever really threatening the try line. Accies’ first up defence had been very resolute all day and they were not about to throw it away with victory in sight. Indeed, in one of their last forays upfield, GHK were again penalised, quite rightly, but the final attempt at goal went the way of most of the others – wide of the posts.
A bit more huffing and puffing from GHK ensued and proceedings were brought to an end when the visitors scrambled the ball in to touch (flattening the referee in the process – thankfully there were no lasting effects and Douglas was reunited with his whistle).
Congratulations to Accies and their supporters, a number of whom lingered in the bar at OA for quite a long time, I wonder why? Their team carried a threat behind the scrum and their forwards bossed the breakdown. It was a tight game, but in fairness Accies looked to carry the greater threat and that was borne out by the penalty count and the amount of time they spent with possession in GHK territory.
One point from the last two home games has put an entirely different slant on the GHK league campaign. The outcome to season 2013/14 still rests within our own hands. However, rediscovery of early season form and commitment will be needed asap.
GHK men of the match – both of whom played about seventy minutes – the returning Hugo Lough and the combative Greg Woolard.

This article was posted on 22-Dec-2013, 17:20 by Ronnie Gourley.

This article was originally posted on 22-Dec-2013, 19:59 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 22-Dec-2013, 20:01.