Saturday 11th November 2006

Violetbank Annan


It is highly debatable whether or not this game should have been played.

After a torrential downpour that ended just before the game started there was water lying on an already soft surface. By the end of the match it was hard to distinguish who was who on the pitch. It will be some time before this fairly immature playing surface can be used again.

Despite the conditions both sides contrived to play some rugby and the game was, if attritional, also quite exciting. Despite the score Accies played fairly well and their defence for most of the game was excellent.

Accies had the favour of the strong North West cross field wind in the first half and used it well to keep Annan pinned in their own half for long periods. However they received a severe blow in the 15th minute when Jamie Doig had to retire with a leg injury. Accies makeshift back division was already missing Mike Hermes, Jonny Adams and Scott Hazley.

This loss reduced their cutting edge and they simply could not penetrate the Annan defence. The inordinate number of penalties they conceded did not help their cause. After the match their complaint was that the referee would not allow them to compete at the breakdown. This was quite a contrast to the excellent exchange referee who officiated last week.

In the 20th minute an Accies 22 drop out failed to cross the line and from the resulting scrum an Accies player failed to roll away allowing Annan to open the scoring with a penalty. This was the only score in the first half.

Accies started the second half brightly and put pressure on Annan early on but too many errors were punished by long clearing kicks.

For the next 25 minutes Annan camped on Accies line without scoring. The defensive work was fantastic as tackle after tackle held Annan at bay. Accies back row lead by Graeme Simpson, man of the match, was outstanding. At this stage Annan contributed to their own problems as far too many of their player went to ground too early allowing Accies to tie them in.

Mid way through the half Annan kicked another penalty to give them a 6-0 lead.

With ten minutes to play Accies broke out of defence and it seemed possible that they would steal a victory. However two dropped passes were to prove costly as Annan used this break to launch long distance attacks resulting in two late scores one of which was converted.

Accies may have been disappointed to come away from Annan with nothing to show for their considerable endeavours but they can be consoled in the knowledge that this is the best-balanced team in the league. They are well drilled and have a young side that play 15 man rugby.

Accies may now feel that their chance of promotion has now gone having lost six out of twelve games but they should remember that there are still ten games to play and there are no outstanding teams in this league.

During the first half of the season the pack has improved considerably and can compete with any team in the league in scrums, rucks and mauls. There is still work to be done on the lineout, as it is too predictable.

The back division has never had a chance to settle in due to injuries and call off ‘s but when at full strength can play some highly exciting and entertaining rugby.

Improvements that could be made are in greater ruthlessness and taking scoring opportunities especially when they get close to the line. Finally they need to work out why the penalty count is so high especially when they play away from home.

A good run in the cup would do morale a power of good

This article was posted on 12-Nov-2006, 11:37 by Hugh Barrow.