Match report V Heriots 2nd XV 26/8/06


New season, lots of new faces – only 8 players started in the squad today who played against Stirling in the last game of last season. However after a slow start to the season and in truth no warmup games, the team which took to the field certainly looked stronger than that which started the league campaign last season.


Although the weather improved before kick off, there was an almost immediate setback for Hawks when Heriots kicked an early penalty in the 4th minute and shortly after Rory Love suffered a hamstring strain to be replaced by Chris Breckenridge. Hawks however had the edge in territory and in 17 minutes a passage of play where Hawks took the ball one way and then moved it back quickly to the left allowed Ewan Smith to crash over from close range, conversion by Kenny Baillie. This gave the team some confidence and forwards and backs combined well to keep Heriots under pressure and a second well deserved try resulted, with Ewan Smith again the scorer – 29 minutes Hawks in front by 14-3.

Heriots were finding it difficult to retain possession at this point and after another crashing run in midfield from Ewan Smith supporting a break in the centres, their frustration at ruck time led to their prop being yellow carded for a kick to the head. Obviously the ref – premiership – had slightly different interpretations of rucking from the 1st XV ref! Maybe the best try of the day occurred while Heriots were down to 14. Ball moved to the right, carried on the same way and then moved quickly left, good fast ruck ball and young Richie Gray on debut, screaming for the ball to crash over in the corner with a couple of players hanging on to him.

HT Hawks 19 Heriots 3


Points made at half time included better clear out at ruck time, use of turnover ball and a good start while Heriots were down to 14 – the coach should know better and keep his mouth shut because it was Heriots who came out the blocks with a try shortly after they were restored to full strength, following a shinned kick from the scrum half which bounced kindly for the following up players. 19-10

The game was finely balanced and both sides were looking for the crucial score. A new move was then introduced by Hawks when, after a succession of quick rucks ball was popped to Ewan Smith who executed a “ref takeout” which certainly took the wind out of the ref’s sails! Twenty minutes into the half and Stu Pollock was the eventual try scorer after both backs and forwards made repeated attempts to cross the line. His last action as he was replaced by Ross McDonald.

A characteristic – of last season- mini collapse and lack of concentration at quickly taken penalties, allowed Heriots back into the game and with 10 minutes to go the game was again finely poised at 26-20. Unlike early last season, however, this team will not lie down and a number 8 pick up by Ross Mcdonald and another fine combination move finished off by Chris Breckenridge, demonstrating that his summer work breaking bungees at SAQ sessions has paid off, bursting over from close range.

Davy Stewart would like it noted that he took 3 against the head in the last 15 minutes, clearly a hooker who is a throw back to the good old days!

All told a solid start with good displays from Donald Malcolm and Kenny Sinclair after missing all of last season with injuries, Richie Gray on his 1st senior match and Ewan Smith. As the players know though this is a team sport and every single player played a significant part.

The Mighty 2’s are back!!

This article was posted on 26-Aug-2006, 22:50 by Hugh Barrow.