Hawks 2’s versus Heriots 17/2/07



A new adventure for the Mighty 2’s began at New Anniesland yesterday. Although we have already played there a few weeks ago against Edinburgh Accies, this was to be the start of a sequence of games up to the end of the season to allow the 2’s to play on a surface which suits the free-flowing style of our players. To this end we were made extremely welcome by all at NA from the vitally important groundstaff to committee men who were all very supportive and helpful to this new initiative.


So it was that we arrived at a new venue with a ‘new’ look to the side but with some familiar old faces, maybe not in the positions that people are accustomed to seeing them in. Stuart Dunk started at full back, Stuart Low at 9, Nico Nyemba made his first start for the 2’s as did Chris Bruce. Probably more controversially, Kiddsy and Ally Maclay started in the back row at 6 & 8 respectively. Mighty 2’s players are nothing if not adaptable!


Heriots were our opponents in the first game of the season on a hot, sunny day in August and similar weather – although not so warm! – greeted both teams on the school pitch. The first 5/10 minutes showed how determined this much changed Heriots side were looking to change the result from that day. Hawks didn’t really have the ball during this period and the very strong Heriots pack were looking to impose themselves on their opponents. The scrum was creaking, partly through the referee’s lack of knowledge of the Laws pertaining to our level of rugby, partly through a lack of cohesion. The lineout was also struggling through someone new throwing in, new principal jumpers and the 2 new back row players having to pick up on codes etc.


So it was against the run of play that KB put over a penalty on the 12 minute mark, but this was almost immediately cancelled out by a similar award to Heriots and they extended their score to 10 with a converted try after some good work by their backs. A further penalty from KB after 23 minutes brought Hawks back up to 6 points but there were signs that Hawks were struggling to deal with the pace of their opponents. At ruck time Heriots were clearing out ball much quicker and Hawks were finding it difficult to number up correctly, either getting themselves cramped up or neglecting the blindside.


It was no real surprise then that 2 tries in the last 5 minutes of the half both went to Heriots. First up tackling by Hawks was lacking and once in behind, Heriots were getting support runners in very quickly.


HALF TIME – Hawks 6 Heriots 22


At the end of the game Kenny Hamilton was (predictably!) heard to say that it was his introduction which changed the flow of the game. The purists will probably prefer to think it was a bit of self belief that made the difference.


The tone was set in the 2nd minute by Stuart Low, buzzing about at scrum half, to break and scamper home from about 40 metres. A more controlled supply of ball was aiding the cause with all the forwards playing their part and this was allowing a creative backline to function more cohesively. Hawks had now adjusted to the pace that Heriots were trying to play at and were starting to produce turnover ball of their own.


Stu Dunk was next to benefit after 12 minutes and scored a fine touchdown in the right corner. Heriots still looked strong on the counter attack and it was only a series of fine cover tackles that kept Hawks in the game but as usual defence was to prove crucial when Dunky scored his second try on the 30 minute mark.


Going in to the last 10 minutes Heriots lead was reduced to a single point and Hawks had their tails up. This was typified when Willie Wong produced a clearing kick inside his own 22 which Mr Wilkinson would have been proud of. KB said after that he didn’t know whether to be insulted or not that Stuart Low had mistaken Willie for him!


Hawks spent the last 5 minutes pressing for the winning score and it was a couple of crucial decisions which allowed Heriots to break out and score the final try. First Slow was penalised at a scrum for kicking the ball back in when in fact it had ricocheted out and hit him and, from the resultant quickly taken penalty and surge upfield, the penultimate Heriots’ pass was clearly forward.


FINAL SCORE Hawks 21 Heriots 27


As Kenny Baillie said afterwards it was certainly a performance to be proud of, even in defeat. Heriots had brought a strong team and a much changed Hawks outfit had competed well in the 2nd half in particular.


Special mention to all the guys making debuts and playing in new positions, and maybe a MOM performance from Stu Dunk. Well at least he can remember this season’s game unlike last year when he played a blinder whilst still blind drunk!


Rearranged fixture against ‘Hills this Thursday – gentle session on Tuesday!


Thanks again to Gemma and to all at NA for their assistance and hospitality, especially John Taylor, Lindsay Crawford and Robert Cheape. Also thanks to Hugh Barrow for working so hard to make this possible. Despite the result, an excellent day!

This article was posted on 18-Feb-2007, 15:47 by Hugh Barrow.