GHK 72-5 Uddingston

GHK played their first game since April at Old Anniesland against league new boys Uddingston who travelled from the other side of Glasgow and competed well for 40mins of the game but GHK proved too strong in the end and amassed 72points in the process.

This game also had significance for inspirational club captain Olly Jones as it would be his last before moving home to London. His performance did not disappoint and he finished as he started with the club by being on the score sheet with some impressive scores.

Ali Forbes returned from long term injury to start at loosehead and Danny Hoffman and James Small came into the backline after returning to Glasgow for University. Small only last 3minutes due to an ankle injury and was replaced by Cammy Little.

GHK started impressively with two early scores from winger John Shannon after first a good backline move and the second from a turnover from a lineout win by Robbie Clarke and was moved wide for the winger to go over on the left.

Next on the score sheet was Jaimie Millan after he intercepted on the halfway line and sprinted in, strangely enough to the left corner rather than behind the posts, he must have wanted to practice his kicking. Uddingston was however competing well and their forwards in particular were playing some lovely rugby with some nice offloading and support play. They were also working harder than the GHK 8 around the park and for that reason the half finished 15-0 to the home side.

With a half time warning to work harder from the coaching staff, GHK came out and showed why teams will fear playing them this season with solid combination of forward and backplay supporting the cliché that it’s the forwards who decide who wins the game, the backs by how many. All the scorers on the day were from the backline but the ball was laid on a plate for them by the forwards.

Jones took a inside ball from Millan for the second half first try. Cammy Little dummied his way through the backline after a sliced kick from the visiting flyhalf. Dave Whyte then scored straight from the kick off after Clarke won the ball and Hoffman and Jones moved the ball wide to Little who put Whyte away down the right for the try. Jones added another after a lovely backline move then scrum half Gillon Rand chipped and chased from a tap penalty and wont the race for the score.

Uddingston then got a deserved score after a break on the left and a missed tackle allowed one of their forwards to crash over. The home pack then caught and drove a lineout and John Lohar was held up close but recycled ball was moved to Millan who barged over for his brace. Shannon then bagged his hatrick after a midfield break by Danny Hoffman who basketball passed the ball to the winger to sprint in on the left.

Dave Whyte got the last two scores with Jones attracting two defenders and putting the winger away on the right for the first then an impressive burst from his own 22 by Lohar was supported to Whyte who gratefully took the ball from the hooker to run it in from the half for the final score. Jaimie Millan knocked over 6conversions for a personal tally of 22points.

GHK take a break from league action and enter the first round of the Scottish cup against Linwood next Saturday, venue tbc.

GHK Team: Hoffman, Whyte, Jones, Small, Whyte, Millan, Rand, Forbes, Lohar, Welsh, Nokes, Gribben, McCoombe, Donald, Clarke, Gunning, Cram, Little
GHK man of the match: Robbie Clarke

After the game a presentation was made by former club president Stuart MacAulay to Olly Jones for his services to the club. Olly has only been at GHK for 2seasons but what he has done for the club both on and off the field has been immeasurable. During his time at Old Anniesland he has represented Hawks 1st XV, 2nd XV and captained GHK as well as being a vital member of Hawks 7s squads.
He will be sorely missed by all at Old Anniesland and everyone wishes him the very best of luck in London and we look forward to welcoming him back soon.

This article was posted on 2-Oct-2006, 07:07 by Hugh Barrow.