Oban 10-3 GHK


GHK travel the long distance to play Oban in the hope to keep their 100% league record intact against the Oban team that they embarrassed in Glasgow earlier in the season but knew it would be a very different encounter away from home. It proved to be just that with the Oban team considerably stronger on their own patch and by the end of the game, GHK came away with, for the first time since November 2004, a loss.


The squad had the usual changes, which has seen a lack of consistency in players being available this season. Alex McLemon came in for Scott Ferguson in the middle row, Gordy Reid into the backrow, a new midfield combination of Criggie, Millan and Souter and Cammy Little returning to the squad after injury along with Colin Donald and Murray Stewart.


GHK plans were put into disarray before kick off when Rory Love was not deemed fit, Little was promoted from the bench and Rand moved to fullback with player coach David Ross coming onto the bench. It was not to be Little’s day however when he pulled up after 13mins with a calf injury.


The game itself was one of the most physical GHK had played in all year with the Oban tackling every impressive and their combativeness at the breakdown causing GHK problems. GHK halted some early Oban attacks but when GHK got their hands on the ball a combination of their poor play and the referees whistle thwarted everything they tried to do. The GHK statistician has informed this scribe that 35 penalties were awarded during the game, 11 of which went GHK’s way, 24 going the way of Oban, which gives an indication of how the game unfolded.


GHK went into the lead with a Bill Criggie penalty from 30m but that was quickly cancelled out by the Oban kicker who matched Criggie’s effort to draw the game 3-3. The game was evenly contested but extremely stop start. The contrasting styles of Oban’s forward play and GHK’s wide running game was providing an entertaining game for the spectators but too often the whistle would go and the action would stop. The half finished level at 3-3.


The realisation that the previous score line between the two clubs was not going to materialise spurred GHK into action and they had the majority of possession in the second half but the Oban defence was outstanding and GHK were held out. On numerous occasions the Oban kicker managed to clear their lines through the intervention of the whistle. GHK were at last starting to play some good stuff and some good breaks by Hunter and Donald were stop by the fine Oban tackling. Oban came back at GHK and after some good midfield play by the forwards and a missed tackle by GHK, Oban were camped on the GHK line and the forwards picked and drove but good GHK defence kept them out until the Oban scrum half popped a lovely ball to the Oban skipper to crash over for a converted try.


GHK rallied and kept the ball quite tight with some good forward play and at one stage they mauled the Oban pack 30m up the field. The real problem is when they tried to move the ball and handling errors crept in. A barrage of forward drives were stopped short by Oban, in some cases by inches but time was ticking away for GHK and with Oban given the opportunity to clear their lines more often than not, it was not going to be GHK’s day. The game finished 10-3 to the home side, a result which the thoroughly deserved. Oban’s team had earned the respect back from the GHK players and many felt the bumps and bruises of an extremely physical game.


This result sees GHK need to win every game left on the fixture card to win National 5. This task begins this week with ‘The Big One’ away to Marr. Marr are 5points ahead but GHK have a game in hand and a win is essential to close the gap and have the ability to keep the league within their own hands. This game is seen by many as one of the biggest games in Scotland with many voices across the country at all levels showing an interest in the game. The game kicks off at 2pm, not 3pm as posted on fixture cards. The bus, which supporters are encouraged and welcomed, will be leaving Old Anniesland at 10.30am.


GHK team: Rand, Hunter, Souter, Millan, McTavish, Criggie, Little, Forbes, Lohar, Welsh, Cram, McLemon, Higgins, Reid, Pollock, Donald, Stewart, Ross

GHK Man of the Match: Ryan Welsh

This article was originally posted on 7-Feb-2006, 12:15 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 7-Feb-2006, 12:17.