GHK v Accies Match Preview

The buzz of Friday night rugby hits Anniesland this week as another old rivalry is revived. GHK host Glasgow Accies, the 2 associate clubs of the Hawks. As the previous article goes into the history of this fixture, this will concentrate on the present, and the match ahead.

An excellent atmosphere and crowd is expected at this derby as National 2 Accies visit Old Anniesland to play National 5 GHK. The visitors go into the match as favourites, playing against a higher standard every week. They currently lie 5th in National 2 with no threat of relegation and no hope of promotion. This game then will be big for them as it is the last piece of silverware available for them to win this season.

GHK go into the game on the back of 2 very disappointing defeats at Oban and Marr which may have cost them the league title. This game then gives them the chance to make amends for 2 terrible performances and also once more to prove they are a side capable of competing at a much higher level. Having played 3 higher league teams this season, every game has shown great quality within GHK. A comprehensive defeat of Newton Stewart of national 3 and 2 very brave performances in defeat to premier clubs Edinburgh Accies and West should give the home team great confidence.

Squad News

The team has a number of changes to the one that lost at Marr. Ali Smeaton moves to centre with Chuck McElroy returning to full back. Cammy Little replaces Jaimie Millan at fly half after injury. The scrum halves swap with Chas McFarlane starting and Gillon Rand on the bench. Ali McAra and Rory Love also come onto the extended bench.

The pack sees John Maclay starting on his return from down under, Colin Donald dropping to the bench. Also Gordi Reid returns to the squad on the bench.

Team
15 C McElroy
14 S Hunter
13 A Smeaton
12 JP Higgins
11 A McTavish
10 C Little
9 C McFarlane
8 S Pollock
7 P Broadbent
6 J Maclay
5 J MacKinnon
4 S Ferguson
3 R Welsh
2 J Lohar
1 W Wong

16 G Reid
17 C Donald
18 G Rand
19 A McAra
20 R Love

The match kicks off at 7pm at Old Anniesland. All spectators are welcome for this game that should be a fantastic spectacle.

This article was posted on 23-Feb-2006, 22:48 by Hugh Barrow.