26th December 2005
New Anniesland

The general consensus, in a packed New Anniesland Clubhouse, was that this highly entertaining game was one of the most evenly contested in recent seasons and a draw would have been a much fairer result.
With the exception of Mike Hermes Accies were able to field their normal back division but only two regular forwards remained. The exiles were hit with injuries and illness before the game but were still able to field a formidable side with Gordon McKay coming out of retirement to play at no.8. Gordon gave a first half demonstration of what Accies have been missing with some rampant runs and great covering. His second half performance will remain under a veil.
The game was played end to end at a furious pace that you realised could not be maintained, but it was appreciated by the biggest crowd of the season by far.
It took 25 minutes for the first score when Gordon McKay was driven over near the touchline following a slick-handling move by the backs. Richard McKnight converted for a 7-0 lead. The Exiles held this lead until halftime.
Accies were nor overawed by their illustrious opponents and had much the better of the second half. Young Jonny Adams in the centre had a particularly powerful game and more than impressed himself on his opposite number.
Accies kept pressing and eventually the Exiles defence was breached when Colin Tennant, one of the best forwards on display, was forced over in the corner for a well-deserved try. Ali Mclaren slotted the conversion and with 15 minutes of play left it was there for either side to win.
The Exiles struck first with a little bit of trickery by Richard McKnight who dummied his way over under the posts for a try that he converted himself.
Most of the crowd thought that the floodgates would open at this stage but the opposite happened. Accies redoubled their pressure and the Exiles stated to make mistakes that kept Accies camped inside their 22 metre area.
After a sustained period of pressure enough space was created for centre Al Smith to squeeze through the gap for a score half way out from the posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed leaving the Exiles with a slightly fortunate victory.
Teams
Accies Exiles
Ross Chassels Stuart Low Hawks
Dougie Horner Kenneth Thomson Army
Al Smith Ricky Munday Sandhurst
Jon Adams Stuart Smith Hawks
Craig Wright Robert McLeod Newcastle Univ.
Scot Chassels Richard McKnight Hawks
Ali McLaren Stuart Ker Murrayfield Wan.

Andy McBride Alan Perrie Accies
Matteo Giovanazzi Matt Smith Hawks
Chas Afuakwah Andy Lawson London Scottish
Colin Malcolm Ross Campbell Edinburgh Univ.
Fraser McIlwraith Jamie Robertson Murrayfield Wand
Stevie Winters Todd Cairns Murrayfield Wand
Colin Tennant Paul Allan Hillhead/Jordan.
Steve Begley Gordon McKay Accies
Replacements
Gary Smith Aberdeen Univ.
Adam Howie Murrayfield Wand
Referee: Bill Howie (New Zealand)

This article was posted on 27-Dec-2005, 09:54 by Hugh Barrow.