Calder RFC started the game as underdogs, being 2 leagues below Glasgow based GHK. However, the visitors were put on the back foot when Calder went on the offensive immediately from the start. 5 minutes in though a missed tackle by Calder created a gap and GHK went through for a try. A failed conversion left the score at 5-0 to the visitors. Increased resolve from Calder showed some tough play and good ball handling and for 25 minutes they were encamped in the GHK half. Only good defending from GHK prevented a Calder score.
GHK managed to put pressure on Calder and squeezed into the Calder half where careless positioning gave away a penalty which GHK successfully kicked for 3 points. More pressure from Calder kept the scoreline intact until in the last minute, GHK managed to weave through the defenders following a failed kick to clear the ball. At half time the score was 15-0 to GHK.

On this special day, Dance Dynamics provided an energetic display at half time and showed that cheerleading is a healthy active sport in itself.

The second half started with Calder again pressurising the GHK team and several chances to score were just missed. GHK retaliated and an attempt to score was held up by Mark Strachan. From this Calder again pushed forward with a display of excellent kicking by Whitehill and some fast paced running by the Garvey brothers. However after 30 minutes GHK scored a try from 2 failed tackles; and the try was converted taking the score to 22-0. Calder heads were still held high and they again set out on attack. An injury to Dominic MacKay led to a substitution and the game restarted. GHK missed a try after their player was pushed across the dead ball area. However they continued pressure and managed a try on the 40th minute, although the conversion went wide.

Going into injury time, Calder made a concerted push down the right wing and with 6 players driving the ball forward, Calum Blackstock scored a try in the last seconds. The conversion against by now a westerly wind fell short, although Whitehill did well to keep the ball in line. End of match score was 27-5 to GHK, and the players left the pitch through a tunnel of cheerleaders from Dance Dynamics.

This article was posted on 4-Feb-2007, 17:38 by Hugh Barrow.