Hawks 2nd XV versus AGSFP 1



“Offense wins games, defense wins championships” –Paul Zimmerman (NFL coach)


The long trip to Aberdeen thankfully came early in the season, but it was still a struggle to get a full squad out. Debuts were handed to Scott Cameron, Mark Hannah and Chris Cummings with Rory Hamilton also returning to action on his return to University.


Not a good start to proceedings when heavy traffic was encountered outside Dundee and on the way into Aberdeen and this meant that we arrived with only half an hour to spare, strappings having been done on the bus by Rebecca. The ref then informed us that the kick off would go ahead as arranged which meant that many players were still running the stiffness out of their legs when they took the park.


The first 20 minutes though, were totally Hawks’. Tries from the back three of Dunk, Love (2) and Craig (no relation, a much speedier version!) meant that Hawks had a handy cushion of 24 points before our hosts could draw breath. Indeed, some of the Hawks play was of the highest order with good ground being made by the forwards, clean breaks and fine off-loading. It appeared, even this early, that Hawks possessed too much pace out wide and too much strength in the forwards for Grammar to handle. With KB kicking 2 conversions from 4, Hawks were well deserved of their lead.


However a sloppy piece of defending – of which more later – gifted Grammar a try which was converted by a drop goal! This seemed to give them a big lift and the next 10 minutes were a bit of an arm wrestle. However Hawks pulled themselves out of the turgidity and scored a try from Stu Pollock, again converted by KB. Grammar, buoyed by their earlier success, hit back 5 minutes later, before Steven Biggart rounded off the half with a try.


HALF TIME: HAWKS 36 AGSFP 12


The half time team talk concentrated on the need to concentrate for the first 10 minutes of the half and deny our opponents any further easy scores. Players seemed confused when the comment was made, “ Do you really think they are 3 times better than you?” Obviously it was meant ot come out as “ Are you really only 3 times better than them?” Easy mistake to make!


With the wind slightly behind them Grammar had clearly decided to pin Hawks back with a combination of strong scrummaging and some spoiling tactics. Some confusing refereeing decisions didn’t help matters either and the first 20 minutes or so was not very enjoyable to the spectators - or coaches. James Craig briefly lightened things up with a fine individual try after 25 minutes but the general impression was of stuffy Grammar play and poor decision-making by too many Hawks players. Grammar were rewarded with another try, partly down to poor defence at the ruck and the game ended with Hawks spurning a 6 – or was it 7 – man overlap with a speculative cross field kick!


FINAL SCORE: HAWKS 41 AGSFP 17


A disappointing 2nd half performance. Yet again this was a game for Hawks to go for points to boost their differential and the chance was largely spurned. Maybe the poor preparations contributed but the players have to realise that these events are outwith their control – like refereeing decisions – and nothing can change these factors.


We should be capable of rising above such matters and letting our skills rise to the surface. Defence is the key – we should dominate teams with our aggression and organisation and force the turnovers that we thrive on. Games are played for 80 minutes, not 5 or 10 at a time.


The journey back was an excellent team bonding exercise. John the driver was very accommodating regarding the setting up of a mobile bar on his bus and the ‘Hawks Factor’ began 30 minutes into the journey. Every player was forced by captain Kiddsy to sing, with varying degrees of success. Fatman Breckenridge – wearing a Batman outfit for his large part in the spurning of a 7-1 overlap – made an inauspicious start but things soon picked up. The back row performed admirably with Franco’s ‘Maria’, Kiddsy’s very active ‘ Uncle Abraham’ and Pene’s rendition of a song from home. We think it was ‘We Hate Dundee’!


The 3 judges ( John ‘Louie Walsh’ Morissey, Rebecca ‘Sharon Osbourne’ and James ‘Simon Cowell’Craig) made it a tie and a poor choice of song by Kiddsy gave the contest to Franco!


A good trip and well done, but there are harder games to come and more bodies appearing almost daily. You’ve got to be at training to get into this squad now – miss out at your peril.

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2007, 20:20 by Hugh Barrow.