2’s versus H/J 16/9/06


Five enforced changes from last week- one positional- saw the 2’s return to Old Anniesland on a murky afternoon for the local derby against Hills. The midfield backs and back 5 of the scrum are starting to have a more settled look to it but each of the back 3 were playing out of position and the front row is still a relatively inexperienced unit. However this cannot explain the, by now customary, slow start and this is an area which will be exploited by the better teams in our League. Hills were the 1st to get points on the board courtesy of a penalty after two minutes but a swift reply from the forwards with a good driving maul and Niall Cadell to the fore, as he was last week, led to a try which was converted by KB (a kicker returned after last weeks poor completion rate) put Hawks ahead 7-3.
Sloppy and unacceptable defending allowed Hills an easy try shortly after and with their back row bordering on the illegal and slowing down Hawks ruck ball and the Hawks lineout misfiring badly along with a creaking scrum, possession was hard to come by. The first of Hawks replacements was made very early on the 15 minute mark with Gordon MacFadyen replacing Chooks who was having a problem with the Hills tight head, a very old fashioned prop in stature and style. The improvement was immediate and play in that area tightened up but the lineout remained a problem with a lack of variety and poor execution. Hills stretched their lead to 11-7 with another penalty but this was cancelled out by a try(?) from KB – from our side of the pitch it did seem as though the Hills protests had some substance- and this put Hawks in front after 26 minutes.
In 32 minutes Murray Wiseman capitalised on some fine lead up work and barged his way over from about 15 metres out leaving some Hills defenders regretting their involvement. Although not winning enough tidy ball the Hawks were starting to look dangerous and there were good ball carries from McD, Wiseman and Cadell. Chris Breckenridge was exhibiting some fine running skills in the backs with a couple of storming runs but Hills were still being allowed to drag us into a dog fight and eventually Robbie Alexander lost the rag with yet another body lying over the ball and was fortunate not to concede even a penalty.
HALF TIME: Hawks 19 H/J 11

The second half started far more brightly than the weather. Firstly Sean Murray used his pace to score a try which was converted by KB and from the kick off, which was taken by Niall Cadell, the ball was moved left quickly and good hands in the centres allowed Mike Whiteford to glide in for what was really the killing try. Three minutes played in the 2nd half and Hawks in front 31-11.
Andy Jackson had come on for Murray Wiseman, who had struggled earlier in the week with his ankle, and Chooks had returned to replace Gordy MacFadyen and had clearly taken on board his touchline coaching session by tightening up the scrum. With Davy Stewart taking over the hooker’s role play improved all round and Gav MacDonald, with some well angled runs and Kiddsy with some solid work tidying up loose passes, were both starting to do some damage. Gav in particular had one fine hit on a Hills player which earned him the “bouncebackability” t-shirt after the game.
In 62 minutes Mike Whiteford scored a fine try following some very good work by the backs, including Chris Breckenridge who unfortunately pulled a muscle at the same time and had to be replaced by – Murray Wiseman on the wing, allowing Rob Holdsworth to take up the scrum half’s role and Sean to go to full back! This coincidentally led to the best team try of the day. Forwards and backs were both involved as play moved across the pitch and the eventual recipient was McD, hovering on the left wing like all good props.
43-11 with 15 minutes to go and we should have pushed on as we did last week against tiring opposition, but instead the next 10 minutes became memorable only for one crunching “hit” by Gordy MacFadyen on the Hills #7, who had been a thorn in our side all day and who was left wondering if any of it had been worthwhile and for a wonderful piece of play by right winger Muzza, who slid in to gather a ball up the touch line and power away from a Hills winger who might have thought that he was just up against a donkey making up the numbers.
The 50 points came up with a final flourish from “Skinny” Sean who scored under the posts to give KB 5 successful kicks from 8, a bit better than last weeks’ 1 from 7!

FINAL SCORE: Hawks 50 H/J 11

A good result, but not a great performance. The lineout did not function as smoothly as usual and rucks and mauls were not as well controlled as last week. This was weaker opposition than last week, but with much harder away games to come in the next couple of weeks in particular, we will need to tighten up and toughen up. However as our best performances this season have come on the road, maybe that is the challenge we need.

Winning breeds confidence, confidence breeds winning

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2006, 11:06 by Hugh Barrow.