Glasgow Accies 31 Kilmarnock 15

Saturday 21st October 2006

New Anniesland


It was once said that a week can be a long time in politics and it can be in rugby too. Accies had obviously made good use of the week on the training ground as they were transformed from the nervous stuttering side that played against Howe of Fife into a confident side running and handling with ease despite the slippery conditions. At least for the first 25 minutes, that is, the remainder will be reported later.

From the kick off Kilmarnock showed how they planned to play the game, stick the ball up your shirt and plough forward at every opportunity and from every location on the park. It was like England in the bad old days and you expected to see Dean Richards appear out of the mist at any moment. But Dean wasn’t playing and therefore they tended to lose possession at vital moments and give Accies backs the chance to demonstrate how to run and pass a rugby ball.

The first time Accies won the ball, in the fourth minute, they moved it beautifully from the centre of the field through the hands to give Craig Wright a clear run into the left corner. Jamie Doig timed his kick from the touchline perfectly and Accies lead by 7-0.

Kilmarnock continued their rolling maul tactics and in the 11th minute it paid off when Accies came in from the side and were penalised.

7-3

Accies were quickly back on the attack and a penalty gave them a lineout five metres out. A clean catch and drive and feed to scrum half Alan Wilson who, when he was held, managed to off load to Jamie Doig who burst through for Accies second try.

12-3.

Finally Brad Wirth, Accies new centre from Brisbane Queensland, started the last act in the 25 minute purple patch. He broke through from the centre of the field and kicked to the right corner for Mike Hermes to chase. The Kilmarnock full back carried over and from the resulting 5-metre scrum Jamie Doig released Jonny Adams and the big centre burst through the cover to score under the posts for Doig to convert.

19-3.

At this stage the Accies support were looking forward to the four try bonus before half time but it wasn’t to be. Kilmarnock’s defence tightened up and their tackling was so good that they frequently managed to dislodge the slippery ball from Accies player’s grasps. Although Accies spent most of the remainder of the half in Kilmarnock territory they never looked like scoring. In fact their opponents nearly scored on the stroke of half time. Accies lost possession and for the first time Kilmarnock moved the ball wide to their left wing who it appeared was clear to the line but Mike Hermes covered magnificently and took him out in the corner.

Half time Accies 19 Kilmarnock 5

The second half was considerably less attractive and for fully 20 minutes this correspondent wrote nothing in his notebook. The rolling maul is not one of rugby’s more attractive features and the sooner the law is change to limit the amount of time a side can hold the ball the better.

Accies broke out of this strangle hold twice in the half to score good tries. The first was started in the middle of the field by Brad Wirth who broke through to feed Jonny Adams; he took it on and off loaded out of the tackle to Jamie Doig who had the power and strength to get over in the left corner. This gave Accies the precious bonus point, only the third so far this season.

All through the half Accies were having difficulty in getting possession of the ball and when they did they had a tendency to spill it especially in contact. However midway through the half they held on to it long enough to score a good long distance try. A thrust by Brad Wirth deep inside his own 22 released it to replacement Ali McLaren, who carried it forward to halfway before passing to Jamie Doig. Doig broke several tackles to score under the posts for Graeme Simpson to convert.

31-3

This was to be Accies last attacking move as Kilmarnock’s forwards took over. They pounded the Accies line with a series of drives. Accies defended fairly well but eventually the referee’s patience gave way and he sent Craig Clarke to the bin and awarded a penalty try for pulling down the maul.

31-10

The remaining 12 minutes could have been dangerous for Accies but they only conceded one more try. For only the second time in the match Kilmarnock’s backs managed to find space and were able to run the ball wide for a try in the corner.

Final score 31-15

The man of the match award goes to Jamie Doig for his 19 point contribution but principally for his powerful running that contributed to his three try haul.

Accies can be well pleased that they are back on track but there is still a lot of work needed to stiffen up the pack. The team had a better balance and the addition of the highly experienced policeman from Australia gives the threequarters a greater cutting edge.

The next four weeks will tell as next week Accies are away to league leaders Falkirk and then at home to a much improved Linlithgow. This is followed by a visit to Annan who were impressive when the visited Anniesland at the start of the season and the Caithness at home. Remember they scored 60 odd points when Accies visited Thurso in September.

This article was posted on 22-Oct-2006, 07:42 by Hugh Barrow.