SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY REPORTS
GLAS HAWKS 42 - 5 CURRIE
SANDY STRANG AT ANNIESLAND

THE Currie bandwagon has been seriously derailed. The hitherto unstoppable Malleny men, installed as early-season title favourites after six successive wins, were brought resoundingly crashing to earth by a spirited performance from the reigning champions. Full marks to Hawks who, spurred on by a pulsating performance by their unfancied pack, confounded their critics in the most dramatic way. Stand-off Mike Adamson was another Hawks hero with a personal tally of 27 points including an opportunist hat-trick of tries as the champions went nap.

"What a difference seven days makes," said delighted Hawks coach David Wilson. "We've been hurting for the past week, and I highlighted before the game that a lot of quality players have worn the Hawks jersey with pride over the years, and it was up to us to match that distinction. We refused to be bullied, we matched them up front and Adamson orchestrated things beautifully at ten. We'll enjoy the sunshine today, and there's no reason we cannot build on that performance and have some say in the championship."

Following last week's 50-point Boroughmuir debacle, Hawks rang the changes. Adamson took over from injured Murray Strang at stand-off, with Stuart Low slotting in at fullback. Mobile Donald Malcolm made his first Premiership 1 start at hooker, and influential captain Steven Duffy, injured in last week's warm up, returned in the centre.

In blustery conditions, the recast champions made a lively start, racing to a 25-0 lead in the first half hour. Flanker John Fitzpatrick grabbed first blood with a catch-and-drive try with only two minutes on the clock and added a second following a brilliant handling move from a Steve Gordon break. In between, Adamson notched a brace of long-range penalties, the first from 47 metres. The Anniesland faithful were on their feet again on the half-hour when another blistering 40-metre Gordon run along the right flank released supporting scrum half Kenny Sinclair to touch down under the posts, Adamson converting.

The much-vaunted Currie pack were surprisingly disjointed, struggling in the face of a sustained Hawks forward assault, and home prop Nick Cox was unluckily denied a pushover effort just on half time.

Currie coach Ally Donaldson's half-time persuasions produced a spirited immediate response, but a seven-minute encampment on the home line yielded no tangible rewards in the face of some resolute Hawks defence, in which young Malcolm, lock Alan Kelly and flanker Euan Smith were outstanding.

After absorbing all that Currie could throw at them, Hawks burst upfield and Adamson removed any lingering doubt about a comeback with a splendid touch down in 72 minutes. A jinking run from fullback Stuart Low fed the rampaging Fitzpatrick, who released Adamson for the bonus-point fourth try.

Currie did break upfield for a consolation touchdown in the left corner by winger Chris Browne in 74 minutes, but it was far too little too late. Man of the match Adamson then added significant insult to injury with two last-minute tries, the first after an interception and a 40 metre break.

"We won't get carried away with today", concluded Wilson, "but it has given a huge boost to everyone at the club that our challenge is still very much alive."

Glasgow Hawks: S Low; S Gordon, G MacDonald, S Duffy, S Smith (S Murray 80); M Adamson, K Sinclair; N Cox (G Mories 20-30), D Malcolm (G Maclay 68), R MacCallum (G Mories 68), A Dale (G Francis 52), S Warnock, G Francis (A Kelly 40), G Fitzpatrick, E Smith.

Currie: K McShane (A Muir 30); G Caldwell, D Officer, A McMahon, C Browne; A Warnock, R Snedden (G Calder 70); S MacEwan, G Scott, A Edwards, P Huntly, A Adams, M Cairns, J Taggart, R Weston.

Referee: R Dickson (Madras College FP)

Scorers: Hawick: Tries: Adamson (3), Fitzpatrick (2), Sinclair. Cons: Adamson (3). Pens: Adamson (2). Currie - Try: Browne

This article was posted on 8-Oct-2006, 07:15 by Hugh Barrow.