GHK 72-12 Bishopton


League rugby returned to Old Anniesland after nearly a 2month break and scheduled away games with the shape of GHK’s season massively different from the last time they played at home. With two recent loses to both Oban and Marr away, the league title was now not within GHK’s hands. The Old Anniesland men now had to rely on Marr to slip up somewhere and GHK had to win all their remaining games with bonus points.


The inconsistency in personnel this season continued for GHK with players unavailable and injured. One notable selection was the return of captain Olly Jones who returned from long-term injury to general the midfield. The game was played on the back pitches at Old Anniesland and the poor underfoot conditions suited the visitors who played a tight forward game compared to GHK’s wide running game.


The game started with a serious of penalties against GHK, which continued throughout the match, and Bishopton had the majority of early play kicking to the corners and catching and driving. GHK sparked into action with a wide move to Rory Love who made good yards before being put into touch. GHK managed to turnover ball and Jones picked a nice angle to go through the defence and touch down at the posts for a comeback score, converted by Jaimie Millan.


Millan was next on the scoreboard after some good mauling by the home 8, he chipped and chased and won the race to the ball to score try number 2 within the first ten minutes. Again penalties were going against GHK but all were deserved and Bishopton continued to push GHK back with some impressive kicking to touch. The visitors managed a shock score after a good catch and drive and the forwards barged over for a converted score. The try was no more than they deserved after the combination of GHK indiscipline and some good forward play. GHK came back with some impressive breaks by Jono Single, Cammy Little and Rory Love. Love managed to grab a try out wide after some good passing by the backs and Scott Ferguson forced his way over after a very impressive 20m maul by the forwards. Bishoton then put some width on the ball themselves after more good work by the forwards; the ball was moved to the left touchline to Duncan McCartney who powered his way over at the corner.


Bishopton thought there was a shock on the cards if they could keep the pressure on but Jones again cut through the visiting defence and offloaded in the tackle to Stuart Hunter to score at the posts for another converted try. The scoring was not finished in the first half with Single supporting on the left after some more mauling by the forwards and he rounded the defence to score at the posts, converted by Millan.


At half time, the message from the coaches was to cut out the penalties and concentrate on moving the ball wide to stretch the defence. The 2nd half display was more impressive with some excellent handling and support play from all players. Colin Donald was causing problems with some strong runs and the ability to offload in the tackle that was putting GHK over the gain line. Love was on hand to complete a haul of 4tries on the day. Cammy Little and Gillon Rand both scored after good work by Donald and Millan grabbed a brace after turnover ball on the Bishopton line.


There was a good defensive display in the second period with John Lohar leading the way closely followed by Ferguson and Donald. However, GHK need to look why they give away more penalties than the opposition despite the fact they are attacking for the majority of matches.


Marr defeated Cumbernauld on Saturday with a 17-8 victory that sees them 7points ahead but GHK have a game in hand. GHK now face their last three league matches of the season with first up, Strathendrick away on Saturday. Kick off is still to be confirmed due to the International match.


GHK Team: Little, Love, Jones, Hunter, McTavish, Millan, McFarlane, Donald, Broadbent, Single, McLemon, Stewart, Welsh, Reid, Lohar, Ferguson, Alexander, Rand

GHK man of the match: Colin Donald.

This article was posted on 13-Mar-2006, 14:27 by Hugh Barrow.