Glasgow Accies 6 Annan 38
Saturday 26th August 2006
New Anniesland Top Ground

After two disastrous dress rehearsals it was hoped that it would be all right on the night and it wasn’t as Accies were comprehensively beaten and gave their poorest performance since returning to league rugby after the formation of the Hawks. Admittedly they were far from full strength with a full back row of Pogrel, Jackson and Tenant missing for one reason or another. It could be said that August is far too early for Accies to be playing rugby as it coincides with cricket, golf, sailing and holidays, the normal things that Accies do in the summer months.
It all started fairly promisingly with Accies leading by 3-0 from a superb penalty strike by Ali McLaren in the 20th minute. But the signs of disaster were there for all to see as Accies contributed a host of unforced errors to their opponents, such a rich supply of possession that they must have thought that Christmas had come early. Numerous simple turnovers, dropped passes and unnecessary kicking away of possession were to be their undoing. The tight scrums and the early lineout work, especially at the front where Mike Henry took a number of good balls, were passable but the retention of the ball in the rucks and mauls was poor. The pack did not get fired up at any stage in the game and were unable to give the halfbacks proper protection. As a result the decision-making was rushed and static and therefore Accies speedy backs rarely got any room to move.
As Annan stepped up the pressure the tries began to come, the first down the left wing when Accies lost the ball from a kick and the second straight from a lineout on the left.
The first was converted and before the half time whistle Annan knocked over a penalty for a high tackle to lead by 3-16 at the interval.
Again Accies opened the half brightly but did not have the composure or confidence to covert chances into scores. All they had for 10 minutes of pressure was another McLaren penalty to reduce the deficit to 6-13.
Effectively this was the last time Accies were in the half until near the end when it was all too late.
Annan simply took over as Accies disintegrated, scoring another four tries, a drop goal and a conversion. By the end it was like sevens as their forwards and backs combined to run Accies defence ragged. Accies lost three forwards to injury and with only one replacement forward they played the final quarter with two wingers in the back row and uncontested scrums.
Hopefully it will get better when players return from injury, re-sits and holidays but don’t hold your breath as there is still a lot to do to make the team gel. The talent is there especially in the backs if only they can find the right combination.
Remember it was the same at this time last year and it got better.
If there is any forward out there looking for a game please come to training on Tuesday and Thursday and you could be on the coach for a weekend in Thurso?

This article was posted on 27-Aug-2006, 07:45 by Hugh Barrow.