Wigtownshire 5-46 GHK

GHK traveled to Stranrar to take on bottom of the league Wigtownshire knowing that coming away with 5points could still be enough to put them into the playoff place or even depending on results, win the title itself. As usual, there were changes in the GHK team, with Dougie Monaghan coming into prop, Fraser Mckinven into the backrow, Danny Hoffman into centre and David Ross at fullback.

GHK kicked off in good playing conditions and went straight on the attack with some good offloading in the tackle and support play from the backrow. This paid off early when Fraser Mckinven supported Stuart Pollock to go over for the opening 7 pointer with Jamie Millan converting. GHK were playing some good stuff but the small width of the pitch was restricting their usual attacking flair. ‘Shire came back into the game with a lucky break of the ball after an up n under which seemed to be collected by Ross but squirted out of the ruck for their centre to pounce upon. Millan knocked over 2 penalties in succession before Stuart Pollock found himself on the end of a good break by Hoffman to go over at the posts for the next 7 pointer, Millan converted.

The half finished 5-23 and as the players tucked into their water, the heavens opened and provided water enough for everyone with an extreme down pour.

This change in the weather put a real dampener on the game with both teams making errors throughout the half but it was GHK who made fewer and were able to add to their first half tally. Colin Donald continued his try scoring form with another brace. He hacked on and chased and won the race to the ball for his first and then picked up off a 5m scrum to push aside the tackle to completed the duo. Millan converted both. 5-37 to the visitors. The game was littered with scrummages and the forwards were becoming fatigued but were able to provide good ball in the closing stages and the backs put Stuart Hunter over for the last score of the game, Millan converted. The game finished 5-44 to GHK.

The players returned to the clubhouse to await the scores from both Waysiders and Dumfries last games to see whether the season would continue into playoffs but unfortunately both teams won, Waysiders just, thus GHK finished 3rd in the league, 2 points off the top of the league. A successful season for an extremely young team as well as a brand new coaching team in David Ross and Ali McAra was had by GHK this year and both coaches offered their thanks and praise to both players and committee alike. A good return trip to Anniesland was had by all and with numerous 7s tournaments on the horizon, GHK will continue to play into the end of April. Keep an eye on www.ghkrfc.com for more details

Team:
15 D Ross
14 S Hunter
13 D Hoffman
12 S Petrie (c)
11 A McTavish
10 J Millan
9 C McFarlane
8 S Pollock
7 F McKinven
6 C Donald
5 J McKinnon
4 C Lyall
3 R Welsh
2 G Reid
1 D Monoghan

16 R Alexander
17 A McLemon
18 A McAra
posted by scott inglis 11:04 AM

This article was posted on 31-Mar-2005, 14:41 by Hugh Barrow.