Mighty 2's Back in Action





With only 1 match played in the previous ten weeks, training disrupted by the atrocious ground conditions recently, key players injured or unavailable and only 1 post festive season training session under their belts, there was a danger that the 2's would come into this game seriously under prepared for opponents who provided stiff opposition in the earlier fixture between the two sides.



However as the match was moved from OA to NA at the last moment – thanks to Robert Cheape for organising – it was just 17 grateful players who took the field on the legendary 'curling pond' pitch on Saturday, happy to play with good ground conditions and decent weather.



After 3 minutes it looked like Hawks were still weighed down with turkey and stuffing as Accies scored a well worked try to take an early lead. The scrum was creaking for Hawks - and not just because one of the props was having difficulty with the new procedure.

"Crouch" – sorry ref, can't bend at the knees!

"Touch" – sorry ref, it's the arthritis in my shoulder!

"Pause" – does that mean I can have a rest, sir?

"Engage" – right pal I won't hit in too hard if you don't!



The lineout, despite having 5 potential targets was also an area of concern and the general poor quality of ball being provided by the forwards was not allowing the potentially lethal backline to function. Accies were driving ball well in the forwards with short pick and goes allowing them to release a couple of very quick backs and it was only some solid cover defence which kept Hawks in the game.



Indeed it wasn't until the 20 minute mark that the Hawks forwards started to produce the ball they were well capable of and this gave 'Skinny' Murray the chance to finish off after 25 minutes, conversion by Kenny Baillie. The next 15 minutes before half time were dominated by Hawks. The forwards hit their second wind and the backs, with Maclay providing the muscle, Breckenridge the craft, McKnight the prompting, Baillie the guile and Low, Dunk and Murray the speed, ripped the Accies backs to shreds.



First Maclay strolled in after his own break, then Dunk combined with Phil Ludford to score. Stu Pollock became the first forward to score after fine play from Low and McKnight allowed him to pick a great line close to a ruck and gallop in and Maclay finished off the half with another powerful run to the line. Baillie missed this conversion, as he had Dunk's try (the comments from the side were a bit harsh about just being able to pick up his kicking tee!) and Hawks led at half time by 33-5.



The second half allowed an even older prop to replace Scottie and allowed him to resume his less taxing duties as 1 st XV manager and Hawks kept up the pace bearing in mind the half time talk which reminded them of how Boroughmuir came back into the game before Xmas.



Chris Lyall, who seems to enjoy playing against Accies, was the first to score after 4 minutes, capitalising on Kenny Hamilton's steal at a ruck and then Rory Love, on for Sean Murray sprinted away to touch down with his second touch ( his first touch being a knock-on!) Richie Gray then galloped away like a "demented giraffe" as one of his team mates described it from turn over ball and as they headed into the final quarter Hawks led 52-5.



Accies were by no means giving up the ghost and some of their tackling was determined and as an attacking force they had quick players. Indeed Hawks tries were largely coming from deep positions with turnovers being ruthlessly punished. The visitors were determined to give it a go and abandoned any kicking in the last 10 minutes. In 70 minutes Hawks forwards produced one of their trademark driving lineouts and Davy Stewart emerged with the ball and then 2 quick tries, the first from Rory Love and the second probably the best from Stu Pollock after a terrific offload from Chris Breckenridge brought the game to a close. The last 3 tries were all converted by KB.



Final score: HAWKS 73 EDINBURGH ACCIES 5



Some team was always going to be on the end of a bad result from the 2's if forwards and backs both hit their game at the same time and it was unfortunate for the visitors that it happened to them, as Accies are not the worst club we have played against this season. Indeed at times it was their own adventurous style that gave Hawks the chances to score. I'm sure they will recover from this setback.



As to Hawks it was good to see so many players hit good form and keep turning the screw. Special mentions must go to Scottie and Kenny for turning out in the front row yet again at their tender ages and to Willie Wong who realised that he was going to be the prop who was going to have to play the entire game.



Thanks to Gemma for dealing with all the post-festivities aches and pains, to Hugh for organising the pitch and Robert for allowing us the use of the 'curling pond'. All the players are most grateful – well maybe not this morning!



Next week's match is against GHA at home and we must look to rack up points again and not let teams dictate the terms. We did that today and reaped the benefits – same again next week!

This article was posted on 7-Jan-2007, 13:37 by Hugh Barrow.