All at Old Anniesland and clubs throughout Scotland were devastated
to hear today about Craig's untimely death.

Craig was a delight to know, either through rugby or as a young man
who lived life with the enthusiasm that he brought to the game he
loved. There will be players,parents and supporters today who will
sadly mourn his passing.

As a player he gave total commitment to GHK and Hawks and was always
looking for a game when he came home on leave. Recently he played and
trained with us before his proudly attained goal of being selected
by the Navy to tour South Africa. All Hawks tourists to SA with Craig
will remember his commitment on the pitch and his sense of fun off it.

Craig had time for everyone regardless of age or whether he had just
met them and I know that the Caldy club, where dad John, played will
also miss his annual tours bringing a team of friends with him. His
friendliness was legendary as was his appetite for life. He was so
keen to join the Navy and John and Diane were rightly proud at his
entry and honours gained at training.

He will be missed.

Scott Inglis

When Hodgie helped beat the Nails
Sunday Herald, The, Jan 7, 2001 by Alex Gordon

Heriots FP 22 Glasgow Hawks 23 The worm turned. Glasgow Hawks have been at the end of some narrow defeats this season but finally saw luck swing their way as, with seconds remaining, Heriot's stand-off John Sim missed a conversion attempt by a hair's breadth from in front of the posts and the Glasgow men won by the narrowest of margins.

In the opening moments Hawks looked the hungrier side and they were seven points ahead before their hosts had managed to make any inroads into the visitors' half.

It was a peach of a try. As Hawks drove into the Heriot's 22 Craig Hodgkinson ran into cover and appeared to have been well tackled when he offloaded the ball to Kenny Sinclair. The Glasgow scrum half made a part break into the opposing cover, when Andy Henderson took the pass. Henderson seemed taken aback as he sauntered past four Heriot's players who seemed intent on watching him score. Hodgkinson's conversion made it 7-0.

This made Heriot's focus. They persevered with a fast attacking game which had taken back to back championships to Goldenacre. However, a combination of poor handling and good Hawks defending prevented them from crossing the try-line.
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Sim and Hodgkinson swapped penalties, leaving the advantage with Hawks. Charlie Keenan offered a level of menace which held the attention of the crowds. He was unlucky not to get a try, denied by a bad bounce, when his predatory instinct put Gerry Hawkes under pressure. By this time Hawks were displaying a determination not to lose and Hodgkinson took them further ahead with a penalty when Heriot's were penalised for preventing fair release.

The second half started in the same dour passion as the first had been played. Heriot's persevered with their failing game plan and Hawks awaited the inevitable turnovers, which allowed them then to clear their lines through the boot of Hodgkinson. Glasgow could then drive the ball with tremendous tight play orchestrated by Murray Wallace.

After 10 minutes such driving play the ball passed to Hawkes who side-stepped a couple of Heriot's defenders to crack open the home cover. The veteran winger off loaded to flanker Mark Sitch, allowing the big Aussie to dive over between the posts. Hodgkinson converted and Hawks' advantage was now 17 points.

At this point Wallace left the field with a broken jaw and Graham Dall started to make an impact on proceedings. Heriot's entered the last quarter with their first try. Hawks were penalised and then gave up another 10 metres as Chas Afuakwah prevented the penalty from being taken quickly. With a tap penalty five metres out Bruce Douglas drove over and dragged Heriot's into the game. Sim converted and the Glasgow lead looked fragile.

With Keenan chasing everything he could, he chipped and chased and then took his side into the Glasgow 22. Hawks appeared to be tiring as David Adamson took advantage in broken play to score another try and set up a grandstand finish. Sim's conversion meant that there was three points in it, as the regulation 80 minutes ended Hawks drove desperately into the hosts' half and victory seemed secure as Davie Wilson dropped a goal having come out of retirement for the game. This was to be more crucial then anyone realised.

A quick kick-off saw Keenan force Hawkes to put the ball out on his own five metres. With three minutes of injury time played the ball came into the centre before Mike Gibbs thrashed over just left of the post for what appeared to be the winning score. It was not to be and Sim missed the simple conversion to the relief of the Glasgow support.

This article was originally posted on 8-Nov-2006, 20:29 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 8-Nov-2006, 20:57.