Glasgow Accies 25 v Highland 20 Match Report

New Anniesland

8th September



Accies won their first home game of the season against Highland from Inverness on a glorious late summers’ day. Accies opened the game in style via an interception by Jamie Doig that took him 50 metres downfield. As he was caught he popped the pass to Gareth Williams who runs in the final 20 metres to score the opening try after 45 seconds.

Accies 5 – Highland 0

Highland are stung into action and respond with some good, direct and flowing rugby. Only some loose passes and strong defence, in particular from Brett Thompson, keeps them at bay. However, Highland got their reward when Accies kicked to clear only to kick directly to Highland’s impressive full back who ran the ball back slipping two tackles in the process and chip kicks ahead and gathers for Highland’s opening try.

Incredibly Accies strike back immediately through Matteo Giovanazzi following up the re-start Accies turnover ball and move it out to the right, Ross Chassels and Mike Hermes run a neat scissors move and Steve Begley supported the quick ruck ball popping up the scoring pass to Matteo to score, a terrific score full of inventive flowing rugby converted by Gareth Williams.

Accies 12 – Highland 5

Accies go hunting for the third try and their rush style defence puts huge pressure on a dysfunctional Highland backline and turnover ball is won, Alan Wilson and John Dillon work the ball up the blind side but are stopped just short of the line. Highland repel this attack but Accies come storming back with some strong driving mauls that Highland can’t cope with and as the ball is moved out winger Scott Hazeley burst into the line on the sliding angle slicing through Highland defence, unfortunately Scott delayed the pass a fraction and the chance is lost.

Sadly this comes back to haunt Accies as Highland score minutes later, with the play in midfield there seems little on for Highland but a speculative chip and chase ahead bounces back into the Highland wingers arms and the simplest of passes puts the No.7 over for a soft try.

Accies 12 – Highland 12

Highland then press on to take the lead as they catch Accies asleep by taking a quick tap penalty via their lively scrum half who beat two men and drew the final man and the support runners ran the ball in for their third try.

Accies 12 – Highland 17

The all action see – saw nature of the game continues as Accies strike back through Jamie Doig. A Steve Begley pick up from No.8 and drive from the pack is spun out to Gareth Williams who danced round the Highland defenders to put Jamie in for Accies third try.

Accies 19 – Highland 17

With minutes to go to half time Accies go in search of the fourth try and have Highland on the ropes following a huge 20 metre driving maul which Highland infringe and Alan Wilson settles for the three points.

Half Time: Accies 22 – Highland 17

Accies start the second half with purpose and are quickly in Highland’s 22 metre zone however poor execution at a lineout enables Highland to clear their lines and eventually reach Accies 22 metre line and are looking menacing but Accies turnover the ball and clear.

Things take a turn for the worse just as subs Andy Pogrel and Paul Allan come on as first Frazer Cameron is yellow carded for kicking the ball away at a penalty and then Paul Allan is yellow carded only seconds after coming on the pitch for diving over at a ruck, this must be some kind of bizarre record that Paul will want to forget.

With Accies down to 13 men Highland pile on the pressure however Accies defence is outstanding as they hold out until the two players come back on. Indeed Accies get into position in midfield and Alan Wilson breaks off the maul and suddenly Accies are pounding away at the Highland line. After a number of near misses and infringements Accies are awarded a penalty and Gareth Williams strokes over the kick.

Accies 25 – Highland 17

Highland trade penalties to make it 25 – 20 to Accies and Highland go in search of a try in a nailbiting finish.

Accies defence is simply superb and they keep Highland at bay and the full time whistle is blown.

Overall Accies deserved the win for their terrific defence however the result was a lot tighter than it should have been as Accies were clearly the better team but again errors with the ball in hand and some very poor clearance kicks gave Highland the opportunities they needed to contest the match and make it an uncomfortable final 15 minutes, which without some terrific defence would have meant losing the game but credit should go to the players for some terrific open play and the fitness levels they have achieved gives them a good platform to pressurize teams.

Next week Accies travel to Caithness to take on the men from the north of Scotland.



Stephen Winter

This article was posted on 10-Sep-2007, 07:28 by Hugh Barrow.