Saturday 7 October 2006
Anniesland Stags (34) v. Irvine (5)

Stags:
1 Max McFarlane
2 Graeme Forbes
3 Andy Dunlop
4 Kyle White
5 Andy Watson
6 N/A
7 Gavin Begg
8 N/A
9 Kenny Weir
10 Tony Smith
11 Neil Lewis
12 David Tait
13 Paul Taylor
14 N/A
15 Brendan Moriarty

On a cold windy and sometimes wet day that contrasted vividly with the warm sun last week, Stags faced a very young Irvine side who lacked a bit of weight and an old head to keep things ticking over. Uncontested scrummages usually result in a much more open style of game because the forwards do not get so tired, and this occasion was no exception. Although Stags fielded a much changed side, Irvine were in the game for the first 20 minutes only, while their youthful exuberance kept up with the skilful interplay of the Stags’ forwards and backs. With hindsight it was a mistake for Irvine to lend the Stags a player and the game opened with 13 v 14, but following an injury the player was returned to Irvine to make it 12 v 14.

Irvine for some unknown reason decided to play ten man rugby to the amazement of the Anniesland team who tried to coach them during the game to spin the ball wide and enjoy it more. However due to Tony Smith’s call of no kicking, this was still a game of end to end action with the ball being run from the Anniesland twenty two at every occasion, and it was the old heads who triumphed over the inexperienced younger team in the end.

Eventually Neil Lewis opened the scoring by finishing from some way out following a flowing move and although he dilly-dallied in in-goal, eventually he touched down near the posts despite the best efforts of an Irvine defender to hold him up. Shortly afterwards Andy Watson went over for a score and he was followed by Kenny Weir who broke on the blind side from a five-metre scrummage after Stags had been held up over the line. Much later there was a 50 metre dash to the line from Lewis following slick handling from Taylor and Moriarty. David Tait snaffled possession in midfield and powered over from 30 metres for the closing score. Tony Smith converted two of the tries.

Highlight of the game was seeing Max McFarlane on a ten yard explosion to the try line, being held up just short and touching the ball to the post, only to be told by match referee David McNair that a try can only be awarded when the ball is touching the post and the ground. The backs saw some good service from Kenny Weir playing at scrum half and wing three quarter, and the outstanding player this week was Gavin Begg who successfully and repeatedly took on three Irvine forwards (I don‘t think we‘ll be seeing much more of him unless we‘re watching the seconds or above). Also thanks to Graeme (they still push down south in the scrum) Forbes for coming up from London to show us his handling and kicking skills acquired there. Andy Dunlop’s fitness level must be increasing because he managed to last he pace throughout the game. Finally, it was nice to hear the repeated cheers from the main pitch as Hawks demolished Curry.

Next week - Cartha at home. All players, supporters and referees welcome.

This article was posted on 10-Oct-2006, 14:50 by Hugh Barrow.