Glasgow Hawks 42 v Currie 5

The race is not always to the fleet nor the fight to the strong, but
that's definitely the way to bet. Following that inclination on
saturday when league leaders Currie visited bottom of the table Hawks
would have lost you money however.

Whether Currie took the game for granted or not I couldn't say though to
be honest they seemed like headless chickens for much of the game. Their
inclination was to take the ball into contact the whole time and then
lose it.

This could, of course, be something to do with the most complete Hawks
game I've seen in some little while. Forwards stood up to be counted,
lineouts were won and backs handled in fine fashion.

The thing is, rugby is basically a simple game, despite the willingness
of referees and coaches to try and over-elaborate from time to time. On
saturday Hawks played a simple game very well indeed, much to the
chagrin of the title hopefuls.

The forwards won ball at the breakdown and mauled magnificently, though
the scrum looked shaky from time to time. This was more than made up
for by the joy of seeing the lineout start to function. Hawks often won
their own ball and, on a couple of throws, managed to rob the
challengers. It all makes it so much easier for the half backs.

Saturdays' half backs were the excellent Kenny Sinclair and Mike
Adamson, replacing injured incumbent Murray Strang. Herein lies an
interesting problem for the coach. Maybe Murray should move to inside
centre? Adamson made more than good use of the opportunity at fly half,
getting his line moving and startling the opposition with some very
deceptive and speedy breaks. So effective was his performance that he
got man of the match and a hat trick of tries. I suppose the one
pre-supposes the other of course. In making my own assessment I was
taken with Donald Malcolm at No - 2 but you can't argue with a hat-trick
of tries. It was good to see the forwards getting a couple of tries too
- represented on this occasion by Greg Francis and the ever industrious
John Fitzpatrick' with the other try going to scrummie Kenny Sinclair.

While I think of it Currie managed a consolation 5 pointer through Chris
Browne but, to be honest, and I know it's an overused cliche, Currie
would have been lucky to get nil.

The first half started with a bang, and a try within minutes from Greg
Francis' catch and drive. It was a pleasure to see and a spirit lifter
but we were convinced that Currie would soon get control of the game.

It wasn't to be however and tries from John Fitzpatrick, plus Kenny
Sinclair along with some useful penalties, sent both teams for their
oranges with Hawks 25 - 0 up.

Despite starting the second half with more purpose it seemed that Currie
were both trying too hard and also persisting with a game plan which had
already failed them.

Playing the game up the middle just showed them that Hawks were able to
stop them in their tracks and often win the ball. More than that Hawks
were moving the ball from contact and looking for space. As I said
it's a simple game really, though the execution sometimes poses a
difficulty.

The game could best be summarised by saying that Currie were stopped by
a team that wanted it more and were prepared to work to do so. The
Hawks tackled hard and ran with determination. Just what we want to
see. From my point of view there are few things I enjoy more than seeing
a team trying hard, passing the ball, taking it into contact and then
falling back from the gain line - when it isn't Hawks that is.

Highlights of the day, apart from the scoreline, were seeing the lineout
start to function; seeing the maul used effectively, it continues to be
a strong weapon in the Hawks' armoury; seeing determined tackling and
running, it was a pleasure to see the team play as though they wanted
it. Most of all there was a surprising movement from a breakdown near
Currie's 22 with fast ball delivered to a line containing prop Nick Cox
in the centre position. There was a delicious moment as he looked at
the ball and, I swear, considered going for the drop goal. In the event
he flicked the ball out and the moment was lost.

The result has put the Hawks up to 6th place in the table and knocked
Currie off the top. Interestingly, looking at the points difference,
Hawks are now the last team in the table with a positive difference. It
suggests to me, looking at some of the other teams' stats, that the
premiership may well be out of reach but the Hawks could yet dent the
aspirations of the hopefuls.

Back to Sue Barker for news of how John Inverdale is dealing with some
poor English results in the EDF Energy Cup.

regards

The Green Phantom

This article was posted on 9-Oct-2006, 18:21 by Hugh Barrow.