HAWKS COMPLETE CUP HAT-TRICK
Posted: 05/May/07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Glasgow Hawks lifted their third National Cup title at Murrayfield today having managed to fend off the threat from Edinburgh Accies who were looking to add the top prize to their trophy cabinet alongside their previous triumphs in the Shield and Bowl competitions.

Speaking about the victory, man of the match, Hawks’ Mike Adamson, said: “I thought our forwards really stuck in today. Overall it was a good team effort.”

Edinburgh Accies coach, Ian Barnes added: “There’s no question the better team won on the day. We were second best.”

The opening exchanges were a nervy affair for both sides as they took part in a kicking contest for territory. But it was Accies who were first to have an opportunity to get points on the board only for stand-off Gavin Douglas to slice his tenth minute penalty attempt wide.

Hawks replied moments later with a break in midfield which saw them enter the Accies’ 22 metre area. Winger Stevie Gordon found himself on the end of the move, but he was brought to a grinding halt by David Rattray who put in a big hit, bringing his portion of the 4,667 crowd to their feet.

As the game approached the 20 minute mark, Accies advanced into the Hawks’ danger zone after a sublime chip over the top from Douglas. Hawks cleared the threat momentarily, but it wasn’t long before Accies were back causing them problems.

A lineout and controlled drive saw Accies inch towards the line. As the pile of bodies crossed the whitewash, lock Ed Stuart appeared from underneath with the ball on the ground. Douglas failed to slot the conversion.

Hawks rallied straight away and put the pressure right back on Accies as Scotland 7s cap Mike Adamson showed his pace and agility to burn up the left flank.

A kick-to-touch from fullback Murray Strang saw Hawks look like crossing as they mounted a big drive from the lineout. As the maul collapsed, prop Nick Cox went down injured and left the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Gordon McFadyen.

The 32nd minute brought points Hawks’ way when Adamson neatly slotted a penalty from 25 metres out to narrow the gap to only two points.
Accies pulled away two minutes later as Douglas quickly fired a drop goal over the heads of the Hawks defenders bringing the game to 8-3.

Hawks enjoyed a period of possession before the break, continually threatening to cross the Accies’ line with imaginative running and great passing out of the tackle. At the final breakdown, Edinburgh lock Ed Stuart was found lying on the ball, slowing play deliberately, and was duly sent to the sin bin.

The points eventually came, and once Adamson had cleared his line, flanker John Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass and beat the trailing defenders to the line from half-way showing the pace that has earned him Scotland 7s honours in the past. Adamson missed the conversion.

Half-time score: Edinburgh Accies 8, Glasgow Hawks 11

Hawks started the second half in fine form, crossing the line after only five minutes. A burst from fullback Murray Strang, and a neat offload to Ally Maclay, saw the no.8 cross under the posts. Adamson added the conversion.

Then, just as the game looked to be slipping out of Accies’ grasp, they threw a spanner in the works when captain Dan Teague carried the ball over the line in a driving maul. Douglas couldn’t find the target with his conversion attempt from out wide.

A break up the left wing from Accies breathed life back into the second half, which seemed to go down a gear as the players battled with the fatigue of such a big occasion, but a failed drop goal attempt from Douglas was an anti-climax to a great opportunity to draw level on the hour mark.

It was Adamson, however, who sealed the victory for the West coasters as his impressive performance with the boot saw him notch two further penalties.

Adamson was congratulated after the game by Scotland head coach Frank Hadden who presented him with his man of the match award before Hawks captain Steven Duffy lifted the title in front of the rapturous crowd who had gathered at the national stadium.

Attendance: 4,667

Man of the Match: Mike Adamson (Glasgow Hawks)

Edinburgh Accies: Ross Browne; John-Michael Howison, Luke McCann, Paul Loudon, David Rattray; Gavin Douglas, Mike Campbell; Peter Burns, Joe Edwards, Alistair Marsh, Ed Stuart, Nathan Pike, Dan Teague CAPTAIN, Jamie Parker, Greg Campbell
Substitutes: Stewart Walker, Duncan MacLeod, Ed Stott, Stuart Paterson, Chris Kinloch, Ruairidh Bonner, Lewis Niven

Glasgow Hawks: Murray Strang; Stevie Gordon, Ricky Munday, Steven Duffy CAPTAIN, Rory Kerr; Mike Adamson, Kenny Sinclair; Nick Cox, Donald Malcolm, Gavin Mories, Ally Dale, Sandy Warnock, Niall Caddell, John Fitzpatrick, Ally Maclay
Substitutes: Gordon McFadyen, John Maclay, Greg Francis, Stuart Low, Richard McKnight, Stewart Smith, Stephen Kidd

Referee: Peter Allan (Watsonians)

This article was originally posted on 5-May-2007, 21:59 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 5-May-2007, 22:05.