2’s versus Edinburgh Accies 14/10/06


The magic roundabout of selection goes on – 7 changes from last weeks’ side, 6 in personnel and 1 positional. A sweepstake will soon be started as to when the 2’s can put out a team for 2 consecutive weeks with less than 3 changes- at this rate take a date well after Xmas! Congratulations to Jamie McKinnon on his promotion to the 1st XV bench and new boy Rory Hamilton from Ulster took his place in the 2nd row, although he’s really a back row player. Rory Kerr returned after 2 weeks out through injury, Sean Murray returned from bench duty last week, Murray Wiseman was back after illness and captain Kenny Baillie also returned.

The day got off to a great start when Rory Kerr was reminded that he had left his car window open before the bus had left the car park! Raeburn Place was bathed in October sunshine when we arrived and was a much more appealing sight than last time the 2’s were there for a friendly last season. The players were keeping an eye out for Richie Maxton as Hamilton were playing Accies but were to be disappointed as he was at a wedding, makes a change from a sore ankle! Jamie Kerr obviously decided that the warm weather merited a shorter hair style as he departed to find a barbers’ less than an hour before kick off!

A frenetic first 2 minutes, with both teams testing their counterparts by throwing the ball wide early, set the standard for a game that moved at 100mph for long periods. It was obvious that the team which settled in to a pattern first would benefit and so it was that after 7 minutes Hawks put together successive phases, giving the ball the respect it deserved and Rory Kerr put the first points on the board with a fine try under the posts, converted by KB.

The lineout was functioning well and with Phil Ludford operating at 8, with some forceful pickups, Hawks had a period of pressure which resulted in no points however, and this was to prove costly when, after converting an 18th minute penalty, Accies scored a try in which at least one pass looked slightly forward. This occurred whilst Phil was struggling with a dead leg, which was to curtail his afternoon’s activity, to be replaced by Davy Stewart. As this was quickly followed by a penalty, Accies had forced their way into a 13-7 lead and their midfield in particular seemed to sense the upper hand. Sean Murray bravely fielded a kick, only to be taken out in the air.

Hawks forwards began to reassert themselves and, driven on by ‘Rage’, they started one of their trademark drives. With Chris Lyall stealing ball off Accies’ throw, the “babysteps” call went out and it was Gordy MacFadyen himself who eventually emerged from the melee. Conversion missed by KB as was a penalty shortly after.


HALFTIME: Hawks 12 Accies 13


A weakness around the fringe of the ruck was identified and Hawks tore into Accies in the first 5 minutes putting in some fearsome drives which rocked the hosts back. Chris Lyall appeared to take a high shot from the Accies centre in the lead up to this, but quickly got himself back into play and eventually the ball was moved right, for Murray Wiseman, tireless as ever, to plunge over in the corner. Conversion missed, score 17-13 to Hawks.

Rory Love was enjoying a few bursts up the left and almost set up a score with a pass inside but he put too much on it and the opportunity was lost. Then Jamie Kerr made a great break up the middle but ran out of gas a bit and couldn’t find the support. Gaps were appearing and it was no surprise when quickly re-cycled ball gave Sean Murray just enough room over on the right to dot down about as close to the touchline as he could, giving KB yet another difficult kick. Hawks 22 Accies 13.

Four minutes later some damaging ball carries from Chooks, Rage and Willie Wong and some clever probing runs from Richie McKnight led to space on the left for Chris Lyall to lope in for a well-deserved try. Conversion missed again (guess what KB is doing this week before training!) Stu Dunk replaced Rory Love at this point and shortly after Stevie Biggart returned to play at 6, replacing the exhausted Willie Wong. You’ve got to be versatile for this team!

A few sloppy passes had to be tidied up by the ever dependable Kiddsy around this time and Hawks appeared to be losing concentration until some forceful words from the Rage -directed at the backs no doubt- and some poor kicking from the Accies’ replacement 10, reawakened the impetus and Sean Murray was again the beneficiary, this time dotting down even closer to the touchline. Hawks 32 Accies 13 after 72 minutes.

In truth this would have been a fair score considering the 2nd half performance, but a combination of sympathetic refereeing and our customary generosity allowed Accies to score a try off a short penalty with Hawks retiring too slowly.


FINAL SCORE: Hawks 32 Accies 20


A solid win away from home under difficult circumstances. Changing half a team every week isn’t ideal and, as KB pointed out, we must have used at least 40 players already this season. However the real quality that we have available is heartening and the number of players who have 1st XV experience this season is testament to that. It’s particularly pleasing to see players who have been regular 1st XV members, coming into the side and giving 100% to help the 2’s out.

Unfortunately Boroughmuir were unable to defeat Watsonians today so it looks like the game on 4th November will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the League. With almost an entire pack to return from injury before then, hopefully, we should be in a position to challenge and should be building towards that from now on.

Thanks to Big John for his usual organisational skills and to Gemma.


Unofficial Man Of The Match – Chris Lyall

This article was posted on 15-Oct-2006, 07:48 by Hugh Barrow.