Hawks 2’s versus Boroughmuir 9/12/06




Apparently some of the players watched their phones on Saturday morning, waiting for them to ring as they had done 3 times in the last 6 weeks. This week it wasn’t to be, however, and the game at ‘Muir went ahead, despite the best efforts of the wind in Edinburgh earlier in the week, which damaged the roof of the new stand at Meggatland.


I’m afraid that so many changes have been made since the last game – Watsonians on the first Saturday in November! – that it would be pointless to say the team was changed, but starts were given to Ally Maclay, back after injury, Stuart Smith, back after…eh something, Ali Dale and Richie Gray, also back after injury and Kenny Sinclair, back after a holiday playing 7’s in Dubai.


A late change had to be made shortly after our arrival when Ciaran Fitzgerald popped his shoulder in the warm-up, to be replaced by Davy Stewart at hooker with Justin Reid becoming the latest back row forward to step in to the front row with the real men.


Defying the long lay off, Hawks came out the blocks well. A willingness to keep the ball alive in contact, strong support running and crisp handling meant that, against the breeze, Hawks spent the first 5 minutes in ‘Muir’s half. In the 8th minute good play from the forwards and that all-important quick ruck ball allowed KB to spot the gap, use the decoy running of Niall Cadell to draw attention away from himself and glide in for the first try, which he converted himself.


At this stage the back-row were dominant and, prompted by Kenny Sinclair, were making metres with strong ball carries and it was no surprise that this produced another try, this time for Mark Oatey, who was to go on and have an excellent game throughout. Baillie converted again and after 16 minutes the score was Hawks 14 ‘Muir 0.


Maclay and Smith in the centre were combining well, getting in behind the defence and giving a target for the forwards to work off, the scrum was holding up reasonably well and on 24 minutes this allowed a couple of forwards to hang out in the backs. One of these was Ali Dale who found himself with a mismatch – only two backs – against him and he was strong enough in the tackle to reach out and ground the ball. Conversion made again by Kenny, 21-0 for Hawks.


At this point ‘Muir were genuinely concerned that they would suffer the same fate as they had the week before against Heriots – they shipped 60-odd points – and some of the credit for what happened before half-time must be attributed to their fighting spirit.


Maybe Hawks ran out of steam, maybe they thought the game was won, maybe the injury to Murray Wiseman, which resulted in him leaving the field, had an effect. Whatever it was the ‘Muir back-row got themselves into the game, Hawks didn’t win much in the way of loose ball, tackles were missed and the home team scored 3 unanswered tries before half-time to leave it poised at Hawks 21 ‘Muir 19.


An injury to Kenny Baillie threatened to leave Hawks a man down as Jamie MacKinnon had already come on for Murray but, in typical fashion, Kenny decided to stay on with his fingers strapped up.


The early part of the second half was punctuated by some enterprising play from both teams but defences were on top form and it wasn’t until the 16th minute of the half that Hawks scored. A succession of pick and goes and some astute back play forced play up to the 5m line where eventually it was Stu Pollock whose frame stretched out this time to score. KB kept up his faultless kicking display and Hawks led 28-19.


With 20 minutes to go the home team forced their way back into the game yet again and in a 10 minute spell struck with a penalty, then a well taken drop goal and then an unconverted try, to put them ahead for the first time. Eight minutes to go, Hawks losing 28-30.


Cool heads were needed at this point and position and possession were the key words. With 40 minutes gone a crucial lineout in the opposition 22 was lost and at the time, so it seemed, so was the game. However the referee was playing injury time and, with the last play of the game, Hawks retained possession from several rucks and Ali Dale was the final recipient of a punch ball. Testament to his fitness after along lay-off and his earlier efforts that he was able to take the tacklers with him and with team-mates driving in behind him, force the ball down for the try, which Kenny again converted.


Final score Hawks 35 Boroughmuir 30


After such along lay off it would be churlish to complain about lapses in concentration, but it’s obvious that it didn’t help our cause that the 2’s trained on grass – O.K. mud and grass!- for the first time in 3 weeks on Thursday. Better to concentrate on the good things. The first 20 minutes, the return of so many players from injury, the will to win at the end – all good starting points for the rest of the season and after the break we’ve had that’s how we should be looking at it.


As for a Man Of The Match, it could go to Ali Dale for 2 tries, Justin Reid for playing prop or Kenny Sinclair for an excellent performance. I don’t think there would be much argument among the players though that it should go to Kenny Baillie. At the end of the match Gemma though it might be a compound fracture he’d sustained because it broke the skin and this meant that he stayed in Edinburgh to get it sorted meaning he missed the Xmas Night.


A little note for some of you soft younger guys : that’s what players used to do all the time because there were no replacements. If you were injured you stayed on, the requirement was you had to be stretchered off! That’s why people like Scottie are the fine physical examples they are!


Thanks to our hosts who made it a thoroughly enjoyable game of rugby. Both matches this season have been close, hard fought encounters and thanks also to Gemma and Kiddsy for their assistance.


As for the return journey and after match festivities – well the sight of a very skinny Santa (Jamie MacKinnon), his 6’8” Little Helper (Richie Gray) and a red nosed reindeer (Willie Wong) going for the carry out was a little surreal. Goodness knows what the staff in the off-licence made of it!


Next week a local derby against Hillhead/Jordanhill. Let’s hope the weather relents and we get back out onto the training pitch.

This article was posted on 10-Dec-2006, 15:02 by Hugh Barrow.