Glasgow Hawks 34 : Herriots 18

I'm never happier than when reporting that Herriots went down to Hawks.
This game was no exception and left a smile on my face for the rest of
the day.

Overall I'd have to say that I was disappointed with aspects of the
result because Herriots were decidedly lacklustre, Hawks failed to
capitalise on this and Hawks errors meant that the game should have been
perhaps three goals better to Hawks and a score or two less to Herriots.

However it's churlish to complain and Hawks are now through to the
quarter finals of the cup.

A glorious, cloud free afternoon, though brisk out of the sunshine,
promised a fast game and the spectators who showed up weren't
disappointed by the overall shape of the match. The game was barely
underway when Kenny Sinclair, showing loads of class, broke 30 metres
down the right hand side of the pitch, flicked a perfect pass to Maclay
who was able to place the ball down neatly for 5 points. Murray
Strang's goal gave Hawks the full 7 points and we were off!

Herriots spent much of the game scattering penalties generously,
enabling Hawks to gain position from Strang's magic boots.

It was another ten minutes though before a perfect pop up to Strang on
Herriots' 22 sent the outside half in for 5 more with an easy 2 point
conversion.

Herriots had a chance to reply three minutes later when Hawks forwards
entered the ruck from the side giving Wilson an easy 3 points in front
of the posts.

Hawks piled on the pressure and looked certain to score again but for a
sorry case of butterfingers in front of the posts. This allowed Herriots
to take the ball to the other end of the pitch, against the run of play,
and Hawks were a little lucky not to concede points.

Seeming to gain heart, Herriots started to show more urgency and
returned to Hawks 22. A nicely weighted cross kick that looked well
covered by Lowe was dropped however and Teague was able to streak in to
get the touchdown. Wilson had another easy kick and Herriots appeared to
be in the game at 10:7.

An easy penalty from the restart was pulled by Strang so it was another
5 minutes before a wonderful break from Warnock, with a deceptive turn
of speed and eye for the gap took Hawks from their own 10 metre to
Herriots' 22. A couple of penalties kept Hawks in danger of scoring more
points with Gordon eventually being held up over the line. The
resulting scrum was poorly managed by Hawks as Herriots were able to
wheel and the danger was cleared.

Hawks seemed to have by far the better pack and it was irritating to see
the team making casual errors that put them under pressure when they
should have been scoring. Herriots were more than happy to take
advantages that they hadn't earned and looked better than they actually
were on the day.

More or less on half time an 18 metre penalty struck by Wilson put
Herriots within 1 point of the Hawks. It would have been a poor
scoreline to finish the half which didn't truly reflect either
possession or territory. It was a relief, then, when John Maclay,
supported by Stuart Pollock scored an injury time try with a simple goal
from Strang.

Herriots' continuing generosity with penalties gave Strang another 3
points within minutes of the restart. Donald Malcolm was then able to
make a very determined break finding space almost effortlessly, nearly
going all the way but having to pop the ball to Caddell for the finish.
Five more points with a pleasingly easy goal for Strang.

Herriots, by this team were able to move the ball well enough but had
next to no penetration at all. Hawks defense had them well in control.
They were still able to score however, though not until almost halfway
through the final quarter when a lapse of concentration from Hawks gave
Herriots a four man overlap on the far side for an easy run in at the
corner. The try remained unconverted.

Strang showed what he is capable of at the close of the game by breaking
from his own 22 to Herriots 10m. A final Herriots infringement and
Strang decided to take the kick at goal straight down the pitch. Perhaps
reasoning that it would give everyone a breather. The kick was long,
high and, above all, straight. Straight between the posts.

A well earned win and hopefully building on momentum from the previous
week.

It's been a difficult season for Hawks having to rebuild following the
loss of key personnel from the previous season. Coach Wilson appears to
have been able to pull the team together as the season has developed and
Hawks were starting to look very promising at the start of the new year
as the premiership drew to a close. The season still has the prospect of
a cup at the end of it and I for one will be saying my prayers
meticulously over the coming days (and hopefully weeks) that the team
get a just and tangible reward for their efforts.

Back to the studio for fat blokes playing darts.

regards

The Green Phantom

This article was posted on 2-Apr-2007, 11:50 by Hugh Barrow.