Stewartry 12 Glasgow Accies 22

Saturday 2nd December 2006

Castle Douglas


At the end of the day Accies should be satisfied with this bonus point win away from home.

A young Stewartry side proved to be worthy opponents and could claim to have had 70% of the possession and territorial advantage. However Accies defence was well-organised and very few first time tackles were missed. Accies won this game by their ability to counter attack especially from deep and on the day their handling was sound in the tricky conditions.

The game was played on a surprisingly firm and well-grassed surface considering the continual rain during the preceding week. There was a strong and tricky wind blowing slightly diagonally across the field. It favoured Stewartry in the first half.

Accies took the field minus their three regular second row forwards. Considering this they did surprisingly well at the lineouts and won regular ball on their opponents throw.

During the first quarter neither side could claim to have the upper hand and it took until the 23rd minute foe Accies to break the deadlock. At that point Accies scored one the best tries they have produced this season. Deep inside their own 22 scrum half Alan Wilson made a break from a set piece and passed to full back Ross Chassels who took the movement on for a further 20 metres before releasing winger Craig Wright up the right wing. He continued to movement for a further 50 metres before giving an inside scoring pass to Ross Chassels who was backing up. The score was too far out to be converted.

In the 32nd minute Jamie Doig picked up a loose ball on the Stewartry 10 metre line and took it deep into the opposition’s 22 before passing to hooker Matteo Giovanazzi who, with a lovely little shimmy, wrong footed the defenders to score under the posts. Brad Wirth converted for a 12-0 lead.

At this stage Accies should have sealed the match but instead took their collective foot off the gas and allowed Stewartry back into the game.

From a wheeled five-metre scum the Stewartry No.8 picked up and dived over for a try that was converted.

Half Time: Stewartry 7 Accies 12

For the first fifteen minutes of the second half Accies were under constant pressure despite having the advantage of the wind. They managed to weather the storm and scored against the run of play.

A Stewartry move broke down close to the halfway line and Jamie Doig picked up the loose ball and scampered to the line for an easy unconverted try.

7-17

With the bonus point within touching distance Accies should have gone for the jugular but once again they let the advantage slip.

Stewartry piled on the pressure during the closing quarter and were eventually awarded a penalty on Accies 5 metre line. They produced sufficient pressure to force their way over for an unconverted try.

With the danger of defeat staring them in the face Accies produced a smart handling move at halfway. Scott Hazley made an excellent run through the middle of the field but was pulled down inches short of the line.

Now that they were on the attack Accies kept the pressure on their opponents until Alan Wilson broke from the base of a tight scrum and had sufficient strength to reach the line for an unconverted try and a bonus point.

Stewartry fought back in the final minutes but Accies defence held tight till the end.

Accies now have 37 points from 14 games and although they are only in sixth position they could have a say in who gets promotion as they have to play four of the sides above them. Three of these games, Garnock, Howe of Fife and Falkirk will be played at home. The away game is against Linlithgow.

Next Saturday is back to cup duty when Falkirk will be played away in the 3rd Round of the cup.

Accies long injury list is slowly shrinking and with a little luck one or two key players will be back for this important tie.

The kick off at Falkirk is at 1-30pm and the players have asked for a large turnout of supporters to cheer them on.

This article was posted on 4-Dec-2006, 19:46 by Hugh Barrow.