Last Sunday we were demolished 52 -0 by GHA, Wednesday had to concede game
against Dalziel as we couldn't raise a team. What better way to finish the
week with a trip to Ayr, where we've never managed a win.

Hawks travelled with a pool of 16 players, and instructions to go out and
enjoy the game. What a cracker of a game!!

Hawks started as they had last week, camping in the Ayr 22 for the first
10 minutes, but again like last week had no score to show for the eary dominance.
Gradually Ayr worked themselves back into the game with a series of drives
from their very powerful pack. Tackling was ferocious but fair from both
sides.

Just as Ayr appeared to be gaining the upper hand Hawks got the break they
deserved. Tremendous driving play by the forwards got them into the Ayr 22,
pressure on the Ayr defence created panic, as Hawks set up rucks. The ball
found its way to Kris MacDonald who switched a pass to the outside where
Craig Mackay barged through the remanants of the Ayr defence. Conversion
missed.

Ayr 0 Hawks 5

Ayr came charging back into the game setting up ruck after ruck on the Hawks
line but the Hawks defence was awsome as the pushed the bigger Ayr pack back
time after time.

Half Time:

Ayr 0 Hawks 5

The next 30 minutes was played almost entirely in the Hawks half as Ayr laid
seige to the Hawks line.

Ayr attacked almost non-stop through their bigger forwards. Ayr fancied their
chances as they kicked every penalty for position, rather than go for goal.
Time again they were held up short of the Hawks line and then pushed back,
or if they did manage to breach the Hawks defence, were held up over the
line or a Hawks player got body under the ball.
Five metre scrum, followed 5 metre scrum, but the Hawks defence stood firm.

With 5 minutes of play remaining Hawks finally managed to clear their lines
with a superb kick from Euan Robertson, the chasing players forced the Ayr
defence into a hurried clearance which fell to Kerr Gossman just outside
the Ayr 22. Kerr danced his way through the first line of defence, set up
a ruck, Kris MacDonald took on the ball, drew the defence and passed for
Craig MacKay to once again charge over the line. Euan Robertson converted.

Ayr 0 Hawks 12

Ayr were not giving up and took the game to Hawks in the remaining minutes
but Hawks stood firm for a well earned victory.

Final Score:

Ayr 0 Hawks 12

This was a fantastic game of rugby, played by two well matched teams who
gave everything for their jersey.

Hawks could have perhaps had another couple of tries but took the wrong options.

What can I say about the defence? Absolutely awesome. The Ayr pack was miles
bigger than Hawks, but were stopped and pushed back time after time. Hawks
did not stop tackling and knocking their bigger opponents back.

Star players? - all 16 who put their bodies on the line for the Hawks:-
Mike Ferguson, Phillip Gillies, Mark Kemsley, David Currie, Matthew Clark,
Euan Roberston, Finlay Campbell, Stuart Fisher, Stuart McCallum, Tarun Singh,
Chris Bush, Lloyd Mawson, Craig McKay, Kerr Gossman, Kris MacDonald, Andy
McNab

This was a magnificent display, and hopefully the season can start again
for the Under 16s, the players showed yesterday that they have the desire
and skill to compete.


Gordon

This article was posted on 5-Feb-2007, 14:58 by Hugh Barrow.