Howe of Fife 41 Glasgow Accies 5

Duffus Park, Cupar

Saturday 14th October 2006



After five wins in a row this heavy defeat came as a huge disappointment for Accies. All the faults that were apparent in the first two games of the season suddenly reappeared and the highly competent and competitive Howe side took full advantage of the numerous unforced errors.

Howe has a strong and mobile pack and a set of backs capable of running and passing at the same time. This was the difference between the two sides and although Accies can claim the slack refereeing, unbelievable length of the grass and the bounce of the ball their deficiencies elsewhere were pretty apparent. They failed to deal with the opposition killing the ball, were slow to recycle the ball from rucks and mauls but mainly the inability to get the ball wide to their speedy wing threequarters.

The first half promised much and on balance Accies probably had the greater territorial advantage. However their defensive alignment was askew and Howe scored two tries in the right corner by simply outnumbering the Accies defence to leave the outside player an easy chance to score in the corner.

Accies had three clear-cut scoring opportunities but each time a forward got into the backs channel and the chances were lost. However the best opportunity came from a succession of lineouts on the Howe line. Each time Howe pulled the lineout down they were penalised and warned. When they did it again Accies expected a penalty try and a yellow card but the referee failed to take the hard decision and the chance was lost. Had Accies gone into the break 10-7 down the second half might have been different?

Accies needed to start the second half with a bang instead they started with a whimper and Howe took full advantage of the poor defending to score two quick tries and a conversion to give themselves a comfortable 22-0 lead.

With 20 minutes remaining Accies suddenly flared into action. Ali McLaren, who had just come on as a replacement, picked up a loose ball and took advantage of ‘free ball’ to scamper in at the corner for a good indivualist try. He narrowly missed the conversion.

Next up Mike Hermes kicked and chased a ball from his own half and when on the point of picking it up for an easy score it stuck in the long grass and the chance was lost. For a Club sponsored by Elmwood College where the greenkeepers are trained you would have expected better turf.

Mike Hermes was soon again in action and he made a superb break that took him to the line where his reverse pass found Scott Hazley who dotted down. To the amazement of everyone in that corner the referee from 30 metres away awarded a knock on much to the amusement of the home support in that corner.

After that Accies bubble simply burst and in three attempts to pull the game back they gave away an interception and two dropped passes for three scores and an extra 19 points. Howe were very adept at clearing the ball away from the tackle and their support for the ball carries was exemplary. If there is a criticism the were prone to too many cheap shots that resulted in Accies losing the services of Brian Keogh with a knee in the head and Jamie Doig from a late tackle. Accies sides of old would have dealt with this in their own way rather than leave it to a referee who was never going to take action that might be unpopular.

Accies now need to take stock and put in the work that turned the earlier defeats around. There are three vital games ahead, Kilmarnock at home followed by the all conquering Falkirk away and a vital home game against Linlithgow at home. A result from all three will be needed if Accies want to position themselves for a top three place in the second half of the season.

To all Accies supporters we need you at New Anniesland this coming Saturday for the vital Kilmarnock game.

This article was posted on 15-Oct-2006, 08:19 by Hugh Barrow.