Hawks 2’s versus Edinburgh Accies 22/9/07

results and tables



“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength or knowledge, but rather a lack of will” – (Vince Lombardi NFL coach)


The second home game of the season, played in sunny and windy conditions at the School pitches at New Anniesland. To those of you who know anything about 2nd XV rugby will appreciate the fact that only 12 players survived from the trip to Aberdeen the previous week – nothing to do with the alcohol intake on the journey back! A first start of the season for Ricky Munday since the Cup Final victory and a welcome return from Ali Mustoe after a tour of the world, although he tells us it was work!


Bright conditions, bright start, with Pene Navu making a clean break in the 2nd minute and romping under the posts for the 1st try of the game, much to his obvious delight. Callum Rankine, taking over the kicking duties from KB, slotted his first kick with aplomb. Hawks early on were taking the Accies lineout apart with both Niall Cadell and Chris Cummings stealing ball almost at will.


However it took until the 17th minute and some fine support coupled with a solid forward drive before Colin Tennant emerged from the bottom of the pile of bodies to claim a try, despite Cadell’s counter claims that it was one of his trademark tries. Another conversion from Rankine - Hawks leading 14-0.


Tries started to come at regular intervals up to half time, quite an achievement considering the rising penalty count against Hawks at the breakdown. Referee Eddie Rae explaining afterwards that too many hands were going into the ruck after it had been called. However if the opposition are holding the ball in and not releasing there is always going to be a danger that players, intent on playing rugby with ball in hand, are going to be penalised.


Ricky Munday had a great try from a well worked scrum move and subsequent break from Callum Rankine after 25 minutes, four minutes later Niall Cadell scored and just before half time Ricky again had a good score, created by James Craig. All converted by Callum Rankine from various angles.


HALF TIME: Hawks 35 Edinburgh Accies 0


The team talk consisted of keeping the structure but that went out the window when Chris Cummings was yellow carded after 2 minutes for killing the ball in a ruck and then KB had to leave the field with a tight calf. Accies capitalised on the disruption and scored 2 converted tries before Chris resumed duties. It still looks like a slump after half time is the 2’s way of doing things and in tighter games this may yet cost us.Maybe it’s too many Jelly Babies!


Mid way through the half normal service was resumed and quick-fire tries from Ranks and Stevie Biggart (later to become recipient of the Batman outfit) effectively tied up the game.


Andy Gray and John Malakoty then proceeded to put each other out of the game with a clash of heads resulting in panic for Rebecca at having to deal with 2 blood injuries at the same time. Enough time before the final whistle for Rory Love to get his customary try.


FINAL SCORE: Hawks 52 Accies 14



A balanced performance against a talented Accies team who will no doubt be dangerous opponents in future games. Maybe we should be trying to get ball a bit wider to our speedy back 3, but there was certainly more structure to our game this week and the strength of the squad is growing, and consequently the competition for places.


Next week Dundee High are our visitors and they come with an impressive record in the last couple of seasons. Inside info to be provided during the week

This article was originally posted on 24-Sep-2007, 19:00 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-Sep-2007, 19:14.