Narrow Defeat at home to GHK
Posted: 04/Dec/06
The MacQueen Bros sponsored Oban Lorne side returned to league action at Connel following a 2 week layoff due to the Autumn Internationals schedule. There were returns to the team for Colin Thwaites at stand off and Driaan Van Zyl at blindside flanker. The visitors kicked off with the gale force wind at their backs and soon had Oban pinned back in their own 22. The Oban Lorne defence stood firm and the men in green were displaying plenty of commitment with some excellent tackles going in. The initial onslaught was survived and then good ground made up field through a series of quick rucks and then a driving maul before the visitors cleared the danger. GHK then scored from a penalty when referee MacIntyre adjudged Oban to have killed the ball in a ruck. A converted try then followed when the visiting centre ran through some missed tackles in midfield, he was hauled down by the cover defence but was able to supply the scoring pass for the right winger to score. This made the scoreline 0-10 but Oban continued to hold their heads up and look for opportunities to score themselves. From the kick off Oban pinched possession and a series of great inter passing saw the attack held up on the visitors try line. GHK were able to clear the ball downfield before Oban came back once again and were awarded a penalty for hands in the ruck. Robert Wright struck the ball well enough but the elements intervened to cause the ball to dip and rebound from the crossbar. Captain Corrie Louw was first to react and set up another attack. Another good series of rucks by the forwards saw Mark MacQueen fire a bullet pass to Robbie MacDonald who did well to dive and score as he received the ball. This gave a half time score of 5-10 with Oban showing great character to keep looking for the breakthrough.

The second period began with Oban dominating possession and territory. The home team were unlucky not to score when Van Zyl was held up by 2 defenders when over the line. The Oban lineout and scrums were working extremely well and continued to turn back good ball for the backs. Another penalty infringement allowed Wright to take the 3 points for an 8-10 scoreline. Further good work by the forwards allowed Del Robertson to barge his way over the line beneath the posts as Oban took the lead for the first time in the match and an 15-10 scoreline. Oban Lorne really had the visitors under the cosh at this time and should have extended their lead, however soon poor decision making (not taking penalty kicks) and poor discipline allowed GHK back into the match with a penalty for a ruck infringement and a 15-13 score. Soon after this Oban stretched the lead to 18-13 when Robert Wright converted a great penalty from 40metres out.

GHK continued to play rugby and any loose downfield kicks by Oban were quickly run back at them. From one such move the visitors were awarded a scrum close to the Oban line, the ball was quickly moved along their line for the visting centre to run through a gap and score beneath the posts for a converted try. This gave GHK the lead once again and with 5 minutes remaining this proved to be the final score at 18-20. This was cruel luck for Oban Lorne who worked throughout the 80minutes to try and secure the points. It was a much improved performance with many scoring opportunities created which unfortunately were not taken. However with this attitude and workrate applied to future games then results will certainly come. Both teams should be applauded for serving up a great spectacle in really difficult conditions.


This article was posted on 4-Dec-2006, 23:06 by Scott Inglis.

This article was posted on 5-Dec-2006, 11:33 by Hugh Barrow.