West Of Scotland 25 Glasgow Hawks 24

Hawks went into this match in second place in the league, but after 5 weeks
of non action and only a couple of not very well attended training sessions
on astro turf.

Hawks started brightly putting West on the back foot from kick off.

First score came from a good lineout take in West's 22, the ball was taken
on by Craig McKay to set up a ruck from which Kerr Gossman was driven over
the line.

West 0 Hawks 5

West upped he pace and took the game to Hawks. It was a typical derby at
this stage, huge effort from both sides, pretty scrappy and plenty of mistakes
but gradually West began to impose themselves on Hawks.

West equalised after some fine link play between forwards and backs created
an opening for a score .

West 5 Hawks 5

Hawks regrouped and raised their game, but there were too many instances
of ball carrier's being isolated, resulting in turnovers and a general lack
of cohesive play by Hawks. However Hawks regained the lead when the pack
disrupted a West 5m scrum, moved the ball quickly right and Stephen Dwyer
ran in for a try, converted by Euan Robertson.

West 5 Hawks 12

West's equalising try was down to Hawks. A sound lineout take by Hawks on
their 10m line turned into a fumbled ball pounced on by West. From the resulting
ruck, West moved the ball swiftly along the backs with the ball being touched
down in Hawks right hand corner.

HALF TIME: West 10 Hawks 12

Coach Jim Gossman told the squad exactly what was required in the second
half - unfortunately it didn't seem that anyone was paying attention.

West came out for the second half fired up - Hawks didn't.

The first 20 minutes of the half was one way traffic as West took control
and ran in 3 unanswered tries.

West 25 Hawks 12

Hawks it must be said were terrible, giving away cheap ball, kicking away
ball - sometimes not even out of their own 22, tackling was poor and the
team basically disintegrated.

That said, the Hawks must take some credit for their fightback in the last
10 minutes. They finally manged to retain the ball, give support to the ball
carrier and put pressure on the West defence.

Hawks try number 3 came from a solid scrum on the right, ball moved along
the back division to left wing Matthew Clark to squeeze over .

Try number 4 came a couple of minutes later, following about 5 phases of
pick and drive by the forwards with Phillip Gillies stretching over the line
for a try converted by Euan Robertson. The referee initially disallowed
the try for a double movement, but was corrected by West's touch judge.

West 25 Hawks 24

Into the final minute and Hawks are awarded a penaly just inside West's 22
to the right of the posts, Hawks elected to kick for goal as the last play
of the game. Much to West's relief and Hawks dismay the kick skimmed the
outside of the post.

FINAL SCORE:

West of Scotland 25 Glasgow Hawks 24

In all honesty, Hawks threw this game away. Hawks lost their way in the
second half and just did not compete, and West until the final 10 minutes
appeared to have a greater desire to win this match.

Hawks didn't lose the match with the last kick, they lost it in the previous
60 minutes.

Much could be made of the fact that we haven't played since October 1, but
there have also been poorly attended training sessions, and to use the quote
in Ally Craig's second's report "discipline being everything in life and
sport' ? discipline to turn out for training, make yourself available for
matches, try your best and not let your fellow players in the team down.

Hawks now need to win all the remaining games to have a chance of qualifying
for the National Cup Competition.

First test next Sunday in "Maxton" land as we head for sunny Hamilton.

GORDON

This article was originally posted on 5-Nov-2006, 23:21 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 5-Nov-2006, 23:22.