GHK 2nd XV Saturday 23 September 2006

The second XV fielded a powerful looking side against Cumbernauld at Old Anniesland with close season recruits Ian Aitken from Strathallan and Andrew Gunning from Annan making their home debut in front of a sparse crowd. Pre-match activity centred on trying to find a referee, without the success of last year, as the old codger who stood in then was playing in a competition at Gailes. Eventually a Cumbernauld player with a referee licence but little experience was found and although everyone was grateful to him for stepping in it was clear that if he attends a few more lessons on the laws his knowledge could improve. The penalty for not retreating when the opposition have kicked is one that will long be remembered.

With Colin McGonigle scoring a fine try converted by Nicol Thow and the team looking comfortable, perhaps the key moment was when a back (oh let’s name him - it was Ian Macrae) missed a tackle on his deceptive opposite number and let him in to score just when Cumbernauld must have been feeling there was no way through. Another curiosity from the referee saw Rod Macleod sin-binned for what was believed to be persistent infringement. Thererafter the game slipped away with a final result of 7 to 19.

The line-out was much better than last week with good throw-ins by Ian Aitken and there were many fine individual performances. The continuity usually provided by Bill Criggie was much missed although his substitute stand-off halves tried hard. They will benefit from the practice.

The Cumbernauld Director of Rugby revealed in the bar that his players had been practising rolling mauls for two weeks, with a view to keeping the ball away from the exciting GHK backs. Unfortunately the tactic was sound.

The team was Sandy Kennedy, Liam McDermid, Colin McGonigle, Ian Macrae, James Ogilvie, Nicol Thow, Russell Johnston, Fraser Johnston, Rod Macleod, Alex Christie, Fraser Milne, Joe Fuchs, Ian Aitken, Andrew Gunning and Blair Moscrop. Substitutes were Sam Makusha and Ken O’Callaghan.

The departure of Nicol Thow to work in England for three months is noted with much regret. Also noted with regret is the presence of J.P. Higgins in the bar when he could have been on the substitutes bench - that lack of training opportunity might wash with the 1st XV but not in the seconds. Further noted is the 1st XV playing an inexperienced back row player when they could have had the vigour of Fraser Johnson or the experience of Rod Macleod. The fixture next week is at home to Whitecraigs with a 3.00 pm kick off and all supporters are welcome.

This article was posted on 26-Sep-2006, 21:02 by Hugh Barrow.