Murrayfield. The Scottish Cup Final. Not a cloud in the sky, the
buzzing of bees and a balmy afternoon. If this is the effect of global
warming on rugby then I'm all for it.

MYF and I took our seats in the stand, just on the half way line.


Anyway, the game itself. Tension from start to finish and no sensation
of the passage of time. The marks of a committed game. Whichever team
you supported it wasn't until midway through the final quarter that you
could be certain of the result.

The press, being based in Edinburgh, had pretty much come out in support
of Edinburgh Academicals. The game wasn't quite cut and dried as far as
they were concerned but you had the feeling that they knew where the
silverware was destined (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). There was a firm
expectation that coach Barnes' single minded attention to detail, the
way he'd guided the club back to the premiership, the juggernaut pack,
would all be too much for their western opponents.

Hawks, however, have been here before. Four previous appearances and two
successes must generate some confidence.

A minute's silence for Craig Hodgkinson and then the game was underway.

A good kick off from Accies, well fielded by Hawks provided a lively
start to the game with Hawks making the gain line confidently again and
again before surrendering what seemed like easy ball. Nevertheless fine
tactical kicking from Adamson, ably backed up by Strang's siege gun kept
returning Accies to their own half.

The first quarter found Hawks pushing Accies back to their own 22m and
looking quite relaxed, despite the attention of Accies' well drilled
forwards at the breakdown. Although Accies were able to take the ball
and make some incisive incursions into Hawks teritory they didn't look
nearly as relaxed, perhaps unwilling to believe they were actually at
Murrayfield they allowed themselves to become over-awed? Whatever the
reason Hawks always managed to recover the ball and either a kick, or an
equally incisive run from Hawks', fleet, backline and Accies were back
in their own half.

The game was 20 minutes old before a hard, straight run from Accies
centres broke down on the Hawks 22m. An unfortunate penalty gave Accies
a catch and drive opportunity from 5m and they were able to score the
first try of the afternoon. Although it seemed against the run of play
at that point, it demonstrated the danger that Accies presented, the
execution was almost surgical. Hawks had already come away from Accies
tryline twice, empty handed. The first time Accies were in range, they
struck.

Five minutes later it looked as though Hawks would strike back. From a
lineout, 25m out, Hawks were able to maul the ball almost to the line,
just failing to spot the ball in the corner. When the bodies were
counted, sadly, Nick Cox was found to be damaged beyond repair and was
stretchered off to be replaced by Gordon MacFadyen.

Almost immediately Accies were penalised 25m in front of their posts and
Mike Adamson, eventual and deserved MOM, needed no assistance in getting
Hawks scoring underway.

It was only minutes however before Gavin Douglas was able to make a
clinical drop goal attempt and negate Adamson's penalty.

At this stage of the game, Hawks looked to be struggling in the scrums
with the referee paying particular attention to the tight head. The team
as a whole were moving fluid ball and surged easily against the gain
line, moving the ball quickly from contact and into space. Backs and
forwards blended well. Accies however appeared able to get breakdown
ball almost contemptuously, but stiffened up when they tried to produce
movement.

Accies committed a foolish offside deep in their own half and Hawks went
for the lineout. Some heart stopping, finger tip play at breakneck speed
took the ball backwards and forwards across the pitch but what looked
like a certain try didn't quite gel - owing much to a try saving tackle
from Accies stretched defence. Another penalty, accompanied by a sending
off for Accies number 8, slowing ball, gave Adamson the simplest of
penalties for another 3 points.

Thirty seven minutes in to the game, MYF's favourite flanker, John
Fitzpatrick backed himself the length of Accies half to get Hawks' first
try of the day. The interception followed by Fitzy's trademark, upright
run brought the Hawks' support to their feet and full cry.

Hawks looked totally in control at this point and were unlucky not to
end the half with another score on the half-time whistle.

The second half started where the first left off with Hawks moving in to
Accies territory almost at will. All Accies could offer at this point
was some very aggressive tackling, which a more dominant referee would
have penalised.

After five minutes Hawks were able to control the ball up and down
Accies' 22m, probing and stretching the defence until finally, Ally
Maclay was able to make the breakthrough and put the ball decisively
between the posts, for Adamson to take a perfunctory goal.

Accies were far from down and out though. Two penalties and probably the
longest ruck in living memory gave Accies' forwards an attacking maul
and captain Dan Teague 5 points for the try.

Then more subs than a Murmansk shipyard Accies looked in danger of
running out of players. It looked like an attempt to bring on fresh legs
for the final putsch was underway.

Despite the preconceptions about Accies superior forwards Hawks were
more than capable of meeting, and matching the threat - and without the
substitutions either.

With two more, difficult, penalties from Mike Adamson to come, taking
the final score to Edinburgh Academicals 13 : Glasgow Hawks 24, Hawks
were in full control, keeping Accies pinned to their own half for almost
the whole of the final 8 minutes.

The referee attempted to give them the opportunity to break out and I'm
sure that if MYF hadn't been so hoarse by this time she would have
offered him some stern advice on the subject.

The rapier had met the bludgeon - but no-one had mentioned that the
swordsmen were also carrying a cosh in their back pocket. The day was
carried by the more astute team, Hawks, playing a tactically superior
game. They were able to play the game where, and almost how they wanted,
despite the continuing threat from the Accies pack, and some occasional
sharp incursions, Hawks were able to pin Accies to play in their own
half for long stretches. Eventually the opportunities came and Hawks
were finally able to pass a large, silver cup, filled with champagne
amongst the deserving team members.

Hawks, despite their poor start to the season following major changes of
personnel, have come good under the steady hand of coach Wilson. The
game he wanted the team to play started to gel late in the autumn and by
the end of the league season the team were almost back to their
formidable best. The Scottish Cup provided well deserved icing on the
cake for the team who have worked hard and intelligently to provide an
attractive, and winning, style.

Before handing back to the studio for the last time I'll just add my own
thanks to the team, on and off field, for providing me, and MYF with
another happy and satisfying season of quality rugby.

regards

The Green Phantom

This article was originally posted on 6-May-2007, 12:27 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 6-May-2007, 12:40.