Dear Diary,

On Saturday at Old Anniesland I witnessed another game of two halves! Afterwards Captain O’Callaghan gave a long lecture about how the 2nd XV will have to train together at least once a week next season; Thursday is the nominated night. I thought he was a bit reserved and when I find the coaches I will be recommending an additional gym session, to be carried out at the convenience of the individual. Alex Christie confirmed that a joint 3rd XV with Glasgow Academicals will be fielded next season, to ensure that as many players as possible play regularly. Both of these announcements are long awaited and very welcome.


This was another game which at half time appeared to be a heading for a certain GHK victory, only this week the fall from grace was long and with a hard landing. Although Lenzie started brightly, GHK scored from 60 yards when Nicol Thow received a pass following a breakdown in a Lenzie attack, and scampered down the wing, with pace that surprised everyone including his fellow GHK players, and, teased the cover defence before rounding them to cross for a glorious score, converted by Bill Criggie. However, for a change GHK were this week relying on the stern attacking work of their forwards, the backs looking strangely out of sorts, with slips, fumbles and missed passes. Young Thow and Makusha excepted, they failed to produce any penetration. Russell Johnston later revealed he had been suffering from ‘flu all week. On the other hand, the forwards were rampant, Euan Thow cleaning up in the line-out with able support from Fraser Johnston. Much ground was made from the resulting rolling mauls, and Lenzie were under pressure for significant periods.


Then, around half time, three significant incidents combined to make the game slip away from GHK. Firstly from a penalty in the Lenzie ‘22’ and with the score tied at 10-all Criggie kicked for the corner, and from the resulting maul the ball was held up over the goal-line. At the attacking scrum the ball squirted out of the back and was cleared by Lenzie. On the stroke of half time, Euan Thow fell awkwardly in a tackle, hitting his head against the ground, and had to retire from proceedings. Shortly after half-time further misfortune was experienced when the referee awarded Lenzie a penalty in front of the GHK posts for the scrum offence of being in front at a drop-out. From the kick Lenzie took the lead for the first time in the match and never looked back. To be fair to the referee, after the game he held his hands up about this error. There were a series of injuries to GHK players and with stamina fading things went quickly downhill. Near the end substitute McNair appeared and lifted spirits slightly by stopping dead in his tracks a rampant Lenzie attacker who tried to run through him.


From heros to zeros in a month. Next season the fixture secretary will have to find matches to keep our continuity through the Six Nations campaign. After the match there was an extended discussion about the impact of Scotland’s new smoking laws on the health of our younger players.


Final score 10-49. Played 18 won 10. The team was Christie, McDermid, McGonnigle, R Johnston, Maskusha, Criggie, N Thow, Moscrop, S Burliegh, Gribben, Fuchs, O’Callaghan, E Thow, Beverley, F Johnston. Substitutes Taylor, Nelson, Lewis and McNair. Man of the match Euan Thow.


This Thursday, 18.30 at Anniesland, team photograph; one appearance in the season ensures qualification. A large turnout is requested. Next Saturday, the final fixture of the season, away to Garnock. On May 19th, players dinner along with junior section coaches and hockey girls, in the pavilion at Old Anniesland

This article was posted on 27-Mar-2006, 18:40 by Hugh Barrow.