Dear Diary,


It has been some nine weeks since GHK 2nd XV took the field, not quite 40 years in the wilderness, and on this showing no sign of clothing becoming old on their backs, or shoes on their feet (see references), but still rather a long time. Today witnessed a sprightly performance from a team that looked very useful following the rest. The forward effort was immense and the tackle count high, against a much heavier team who were relatively well-drilled. The rampaging GHK back row of Johnston, Simpson and MacLeod were all over the field. O’Callaghan used his bulk to great effect, and Fraser Milne his strength. Dynamic rucking was evident and in one move there was at least seven phases. McGonigle penetrated well in midfield, and his defence was sound.


Early on Stott missed a penalty chance when Waysiders/Drumpellier killed the ball in a ruck, but made amends after 27 minutes following another offence at a ruck. A flowing GHK backs move ended when winger Lewis tripped having shown genuine pace over 40 metres. I hope he can learn to run further and feel the force before he engages his brain (after all Yoda was directing him). Shortly thereafter the effervescent Kerr, who had kindly volunteered to give up his free Saturday to contribute to the lower teams at the club, replaced the injured Boyer. This valiant effort by Kerr added to the enjoyment of both sides, for it added confidence to the GHK play and gave the opposition the opportunity to go back to Coatbridge and brag about who they had been playing against. In addition, the referee in his first season acquired bragging rights. Kerr made an immediate impression, creating confusion by standing next to the GHK support while the ball was about to emerge from a ruck on the very far side of the park. Must be the quality of the chat.


The referee was Jim Hackett from Cartha and was well up to standard and welcome back he will be. He was sharp on the laws but not yet having developed skills in applying advantage, whistled early and imposed structure. This was a disadvantage as GHK tried to take quick penalties and free-kicks, and he was not keen on this. On the other hand it reduced the chances of Waysiders’ forwards getting up to nasties, although No. 16 did manage to trip Andrew Stott off the ball, illegally charge Ken O‘Callaghan past a maul i.e. off the ball, and persistently stamp Ken when he was trapped on the wrong side of a ruck, nowhere near the ball. In this he was aided by the folically challenged No. 14 (playing back row) who continued after the whistle was blown, and at one stage I was wishing I had taken my video camera along in order that the SRU disciplinary panel had an opportunity to see the action. Fortunately few other teams in the league have such players. Ian Macrae, who recorded a huge tackle count, had an encounter with No. 16 close to the GHK goal line. As he later recounted ‘I leapt at the fellow's ankle and he came down like a ton of bricks’. The complete quote cannot be reproduced here lest someone with a delicate constitution or who is politically correct catches sight of it. At one stage Joe Fuchs, in another off the ball incident, had severe words with a Waysiders forward but fortunately the incident did not develop.


After 35 minutes good work by the forwards led to another flowing backs move instigated by Tom Smith and with Kerr (and his marker) again prominently positioned next to the GHK support this left a gap wider than the Clyde Tunnel through which Russell Johnston dashed for a try converted by Stott. Half time 10-0.


Shortly after the restart the Waysiders No. 16, missing his selected target, left his mark on his own distinguished and energetic No. 7 (who was playing No.8) and again I was longing for a camera.


Tom Smith was having a good game, especially as some huge grizzlies were charging at him. Eventually Kerr moved to stand-off to give him a rest, and starting off down the blind side before shifting back to open, released Hunter for a 40 metre dash to score. As I was assisting by running touch, when behind the goal I took the opportunity to inform No. 7 of no. 16’s indiscretion and he was less than pleased. Waysiders then scored a try to retain an outside chance of saving the match. Further pressure from GHK resulted in a straightforward penalty to stretch the lead. In the closing minutes the referee finally allowed a quick tap penalty by Kerr who ghosted through from 25 metres to score under the post. Stott converted to complete the scoring. The forwards later praised the efforts of young Tannahill, who held his own in the set piece and loose against much bigger men.


The team was K. O’Callaghan, I. Macrae, N. Tannahill, F, Milne, J Fuchs, Fraser Johnston, R. MacLeod, F Simpson, A. Stott, T. Smith, M. Boyer, S. Hunter, C. McGonigle, N. Lewis , Russell Johnston. Substitutes R. Kerr, A. Christie. This was the best bench possibly ever and certainly since it was graced by Jimmy Currie, Scott Inglis, David McNair and Alex Christie against Allan Glens some two and a half seasons ago. The continuity is noted. Liam McDermid gets a mention because despite being top try scorer, Ken forgot to telephone him. Don’t worry Liam it won’t happen again.


Final score was 25-7. This was a good all round performance. Next week there is no game but players are asked to train in expectation of fixtures occurring soon.


References.

Deuteronomy, 29:5 (definitely not 29:6)

This article was posted on 28-Jan-2007, 23:45 by Hugh Barrow.