Glasgow 34 - 25 GHA




Jim Byers at Old Anniesland



Hawks squeezed to an unconvincing victory over a combative GHA side yesterday, but only after being severely tested for the entirety of this strange, but entertaining encounter. The result sees the Anniesland team leapfrog Heriot’s at the top of the table thanks to a six-try haul, including a hat-trick for winger Wes Henry, which earned them a bonus point.
It was a major blow, however, for the Braidholm outfit, who trudged off the field knowing that relegation is now a reality. The match was halted seconds after kick-off following a serious injury to Scotland under-19 flanker Calum Forrester who was stretchered off having been knocked unconscious. After the stoppage, Hawks launched the first of a series of attacks on the GHA line. The ball was eventually flicked out wide, with centre Ally Maclay using his height to flip the ball out of the tackle and into the arms of Wes Henry who had a simple run in for the first try.

Murray Strang dispatched a beautifully judged conversion from far out on the left touchline, before GHA replied with a penalty through the boot of full-back Barry Edgar.

GHA rarely entered opposition territory, but against the run of play, AJ Macfarlane burst clear from a ruck just before the break and chipped through to set up a try for his winger Rory Watson. With the Edgar conversion, GHA were ahead 10-7. Henry went over for his second try but GHA sneaked ahead again with Edgar crossing in the corner for a try.

Henry grabbed his third try just after the interval, but again GHA edged back into the lead, this time Edgar adding his second try .

Lock Steve Begley was driven over for a Hawks try just before the hour to even the scores. Another Edgar penalty sent GHA back in front in the 67th minute, until Hawks replied with a try from replacement Mike Adamson. The hosts finally eased away after prop Peter Dalton was driven over.

Glasgow Hawks: S Low, S Gordon, A Maclay (M Adamson, 64), S Duffy, W Henry, M Strang, K Sinclair (R McKnight 62), E Milligan, M Smith (Greg Francis, 51), P Dalton, S Begley, R Maxton, M Sitch, N Mckenzie, S Forrest (J Malakoty, 51)

GHA: B Edgar; R Watson, R West, A Bulloch, A Rushforth; M Dunn, AJ McFarlane (A Miller.79); D Jamieson (I Mackinnon 29), D Malcolm, A Reekie, G Harkness, A Williamson, C Forrester (A Boag 1), J Matheson, J Barclay.

Referee: G Hannah (Kirkcaldy).

This article was posted on 6-Mar-2005, 19:17 by Hugh Barrow.