“Accies overcome Glens in local derby!”



Glasgow Accies 23 – Allan Glens 20

Last Saturday at New Anniesland Accies extended their winning run to 5 games in a row and put themselves in contention for a push for promotion as they overcame a stuffy Allan Glens side containing two ex-Hawks players, Tony Wright & Steven O’Donnell.
“Chippy” seems to be on his own personal tour of Glasgow rugby clubs having played at Hawks, Hill Jills, GHA, West and now Glens.)


On a cold breezy October day at New Anniesland, Accies extended their winning run to 5 games in a row and put themselves in contention for a push for promotion as they overcame a stuffy Allan Glens side.



Accies were without Captain Ross Chassells and the flying wing Mike Hermes on wedding duty but welcomed back Pete Meiklem into the pack, from injury, to field a strong side with plenty of pace in the backline from Craig Wright and Steve Hazeley on the wings.



Accies kicked off into a strong breeze but came immediately under pressure from Glens in the opening salvo’s resulting in Glen’s being awarded a penalty which their fullback stroked over to open the scoring.



This spurred Accies into action and from the restart they drove up the field with a succession of forward drives and backs moves that Glens had no answer to. Glens scrambled the ball into touch 10 metres out and the Accies forwards drove on in trademark style from the lineout which resulted in Glens pulling down the maul as a try beckoned. Penalty Try awarded and converted from under the posts by Ali McLaren.



Accies continued to pressurize Glens deep in Glens territory when a hurried clearance kick was caught by Ali McLaren in midfield, Ali sent the long pass out right to Craig Wright who scorched outside the Glens winger and popped the pass inside to the supporting Ali McLaren to sprint in from 15 metres for an unconverted try. Game on for Accies.



Glens showed they weren’t going to lie down as they came back strongly at Accies and following a sustained period of pressure their excellent Kiwi scrum half broke off after a series of rucks to score an unconverted try in the right hand corner as Accies ran out of cover.



This stung Accies back into action and quickly they responded with an Ali McLaren penalty goal.



Accies continued to keep the pressure on Glens and, following a series of driving mauls and rucks the ball was fed out to Jamie Doig who passed back inside for No.8 Andy Pogrel to run in for an unconverted try.



The game took another twist as Glens struck back pressurizing Accies deep in Accies half with a series of driving mauls and scrums and scored through their right winger for a converted try.



As half time approached Accies pushed for a fourth try and bonus point, however as Jamie Doig tried to drive for the line from 8 metres out he was wrapped up by the defence and the chance was lost. It was disappointing moment as a straight hands move through the backs would surely have delivered a try.



Half time: Accies 20 – Glens 15



With the wind behind then and playing back towards the clubhouse Accies should have stretched away to a comfortable win, however it was Glens who started more brightly and scored following a lineout and driving maul from 5 metres out to draw level.



The second half continued in a see saw motion of both Accies and Glens having periods of domination with the only further scoring coming from the boot of Ali McLaren as Glens were drawn off side at a ruck following a spell of Accies pressure.



The last 15 minutes were brightened by a more dominant Accies side pushing for the fourth try and bonus point, which Accies just couldn’t quite get, and also for the debut of Matt Franklin, fresh out of the Academy.



In the end Ali McLaren’s penalty kick won the game for Accies but both the team and supporters were hoping for more after leading 20-15 at half time and showing glimpses of great rugby.



The day will come when this developing Accies side will really put their opposition to the sword, hopefully it will be next week in Cupar against Howe of Fife in what will be Accies most important game of the season.

With five wins in a row and three teams going up Accies now sit just 2 points behind third placed Caithness and, with some hard graft, can push forward confidently for promotion.



Stephen

This article was originally posted on 9-Oct-2006, 07:27 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 9-Oct-2006, 09:19.