GHK go clear with bonus point win

GHK 39-22 Oban Lorne

GHK’s first home game of the new season was played in perfect conditions in the beautiful surroundings of Balgray playing fields on Saturday and the game was thoroughly entertaining and show pieced two teams with real title ambitions for the coming season.

GHK and Oban were both sitting top of the league after week one and this game showed exactly why as both teams played some excellent rugby and the game was not decided until the last 15minutes.

GHK had some changes due to holiday and work commitments and Willy Wong came into prop and Dave Fearnley returned for the weekend to come into the openside position and played tremendously well for not having played rugby for such a long period.

In the backs, Jaimie Millan took up the inside centre position to allow young Aubery Horton to play his final game before heading to Dundee University, where he is bound to star for Dundee HSFP.

The game started superbly for GHK with two quick fire tries against the run of play as both came from interceptions. Olly Jones reading a midfield pass to steal the ball on his own 22 and sprint away to dot down at the posts, Horton converting. Then Horton stole in to intercept and goose step his way up field before feeding Ali Smeaton on the cut who offloaded to Chas McFarlane. John Lohar had supported well and he passed to Andy McTavish to gallop over for another break away score.

Oban were startled into life and came at GHK with everything in their locker but GHK’s defence was holding firm and they were turning over the ball with Fearnley at the fore. GHK were however playing too much rugby in their own 22 and mistakes allowed Oban in and a great angle from their number 8 of the flyhalf’s shoulder put the vistors over the whitewash for a converted score. A pick and drive from the impressive no8 resulted in good ball for the forwards to drive from and another score came from a missed tackle on the home 5m line and Oban went into the lead with the conversion.

GHK were forcing the game and a loose pass in their 22 was intercepted by the visiting fullback who strolled in for a try on the stroke of halftime with the conversion making it 12-19.

For the second week in a row, GHK found themselves behind at the oranges and the halftime team talk and substitutions seemed to do the trick with GHK playing some sensible, composed rugby in the opposition half and running up 27 points to 3 in the second period. Cammy Little set the Old Anniesland men away after some impressive mauling from the forwards and quick hands by Horton, Millan and Jones put Little over on the right. Oban came back with a penalty after hands in the ruck to increase their lead but that was the only time in the second half when they threatened GHK.

A lineout steal by Broadbent was moved wide by McFarlane and Little to Jones who dummied and sped across the halfway line to feed Ali Smeaton on the inside who beat his man and passed inside to Jones who was caught just short but as he threw the ball backwards it came off his foot and ended up over the line for Fearnley to dive on it for the score.

Jones was not to be denied his 5th score in 2games and a well rehearsed backline move allowed him to outstrip his opposite man to go over on the left. Jones was involved in the next score when another first phase move was popped inside to Andy McTavish coming at pace to angle his run to go over from 22m out. With more pressure coming on the visitors backline, Ali Smeaton was next on the score sheet after another turnover from Fearnley led to McFarlane sniping blind, Lohar was there to show and go and put Smeaton one on one and he rounded his man to dive over on the right hand corner to put the nail in the coffin.

Oban were a much improved side as to that what usually travel but showed their home form by being extremely physical and this game was a tremendous advert for the league that will be one of the most difficult to win with so many good teams involved.

Oban will rarely be beaten at home and it will all depend if they can travel as strong as they did on Saturday to see if they are to challenge this season. Waysiders defeated league champs Marr on Saturday, a result that sees GHK sitting clear by two points at the top of the league from Cumbernauld who have not gained any bonus points.

GHK play neighbours Clydebank this Saturday in Clydebank in a fixture that is never easy. The game kicks off at 3pm and with Glasgow Hawks away, all support is welcomed.

GHK Team:Little, Smeaton, Jones, Millan, McTavish, Horton, McFarlane, Donald, Fearnley, Mitchell, Cram, Broadbent, Welsh, Lohar, Wong, Maxwell, Nokes, Roti
GHK Man of the Match: Nick Cram

This article was posted on 11-Sep-2006, 21:48 by Hugh Barrow.