Hawks 2nd XV v Currie RFC 1/8/07



“Losers make promises, only winners make a commitment”



A new season and a very new team – only 7 players on show were returning from duty last season. Numbers were depleted by the call offs, unavailabilities and injuries that have blighted pre-season and it was a very bare squad that took the field.


Hawks however started briskly in the bright sunshine and, after Currie missed an easy penalty under the posts, they were soon laying siege to Currie’s line. A driving lineout after 7 minutes gave Niall Cadell his 1st opportunity of the season to play ‘my ball’ and he was eventually given the credit for the try. Kenny Baillie missed the conversion from wide out on the left. However two minutes later an easy penalty was converted by Currie.


Both sides were making the type of mistakes characteristic of the first game of the season but at this stage it was the visiting team which looked to be settling in the quicker. Not much ball was going beyond the centres, partly due to some aggressive defence from Currie and turnovers were common as both teams struggled to come to terms with some of the referee’s decisions.


A succession of rucks by Hawks produced quickly released ball and Stu Pollock took an excellent line to plunge over on the right – again too wide out for KB to convert. Hawks then proceeded to waste a golden opportunity when confronted by an easy 4 on 2 situation and this type of play was ultimately to prove costly.


There was no further score until 2 minutes from half time when new boy Duncan McLeod was credited with yet another driving lineout try, again on the left. Too wide out for KB again.


HALF TIME – HAWKS 15 CURRIE 3


With the ref’s decisions at ruck and maul frequently puzzling the Hawks players, Currie forced themselves back into the game. It was therefore no surprise when they scored a try after 10 minutes and Hawks had to work hard to re-impose themselves on the game.


Another series of lineout drives eventually allowed another debutant in the form of Andy Gray to stroll over after a clever switch in direction and at this stage Hawks should have pulled away. However two crucial refereeing decisions were to prove very influential.


Firstly, Currie were allowed to pull down two strong, driving mauls with only penalties resulting and when play moved to the other end following a dreadful Hawks error in their own 22, Kiddsy was very harshly yellow carded for his first offside offence. The resulting pressure told when the Currie winger ‘scored’ in the corner. Even although the touch judge put up his flag, the ref decided he was too late in doing so and awarded the try – to rub salt in the wound the kick was converted from wide out. 20-15 to Hawks with 15 minutes to go.


Currie were up for the game and although Kiddsy returned to the field , it was they who scored a try to tie the scores at 20 all. In the final 5 minutes yet another Hawks maul was pulled down by the Currie hooker, who was actually yellow carded this time, but again the ref decided against a penalty try.


FINAL SCORE – HAWKS 20 CURRIE 20


A game which could and should have been won, despite the fact that this was a scratch team. Hopefully some people will read the quote at the top of this report.

This article was posted on 3-Sep-2007, 21:06 by Hugh Barrow.