Chairman Gordon Wilson writes this report in the absence of regular "scribes" Al Graham and Stevie Winter.

In spite of numerous changes in personel to our line-up, one still hoped there was the possibility of a close match for Accies as they welcomed League Leaders Howe of Fife to NA.
The absence of Chassels, Hazley, McLouchlan and Pogrel through injury, also Stewart laid low with 'flu, and Cadwallader, Begley and Dillon all unavailable for selection, in the end proved too big a challenge for the team to overcome.
Graeme Ker, flanker,(38 mins.), the easily recognisable son of Alan Ker, an Accies Captain of the 80's, and Andrew"Digby"Davidson, winger,(68 mins), as substitutes, were both introduced to 1st.XV rugby during this match, and one-time Accies regular, Matt Smith (prop) at present a Hawks 2nd.XV player came off the bench for the last hour.
The "exchange" referee from England was Graeme Bancroft who co-incidentally had refereed Accies pre-season friendly at Blackburn RFC in August. He refereed the match consistantly and fairly.
With our pitch in first class order, and mild, dry conditions, we had the prospect of fast open rugby.
Accies competed well in the early stages, but after 15 minutes the Howe stand-off, Peter Horne sent over a fine 40 yard drop-goal.
SCORE ......0 --- 3
In the first half hour Accies had 2 clear opportunities to score, when Thorburn dropped a pass with the line at his mercy, and Ali McLaren cut inside whilst having two players clear on his outside, and only 20 metres from the line.
After 20 minutes Matt Smith replaced Brian Keogh . Taking wrong options cost Accies dearly, often putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. The Howe forwards eventually got the the upper hand gaining much ground with their rolling mauls, and in 37 minutes one such maul resulted in one of the Howe forwards forcing his way over for a try, converted from far out.
SCORE ......0 --- 10
At this point Graeme Ker was introduced in place of Scott Thorburn.
In the closing minutes of the half Ali McLaren's penalty attempt from 45 yards fell short. Since recently getting back from the States, sadly his normally outstanding place-kicking form has not returned with him !

HALF-TIME ......0 --- 10

The start of the second half saw Accies competing far better up front, but their failure to capture even their own line-out ball, allied with the team's "ability" to give the ball away far too easily resulted in Howe's second try after 58 minutes.It came after a 3 minute assault on Accies line, and saw their hooker, Josh Fox-Clark forcing his way over in the left corner for an unconverted try.
SCORE ------0 --- 15.
Prop Fraser Cameron retired after 60 mins.with a foot injury and Brian Keogh was re-introduced. In 62 mins.Accies were unlucky not to score on the right, when Mike Hermes caught a William's through kick on the full, only 20 metres from the Howe line. With ten minutes remaining, Andy"Digby"Davidson replaced Craig Wright on the left wing for his first flavour of 1st.XV rugby. Both he and other new-start Graeme Ker acquitted themselves well.
Howe were now in the ascendency, and after some good forward play, the ball was whipped quickly to their strong running left winger,Girvan Imrie, who scored a fine try in the corner. The conversion failed.
SCORE ------ 0 ---- 20.
Accies with a good second-half effort deserved a score, but when the opportunity arrived in 73 mins., on the half-way, with Jamie Doig breaking left and having two men over, the wrong choice was made , when he "took-on" Howe's last man , when it seemed easier to pass out for what should have been a certain score !
Sadly, this epitomised much of the Accies performance, - wrong options being taken, or too many basic errors being made.

RESULT ......ACCIES 0 HOWE OF FIFE 20

The disappointment was not that we lost, but more the way we lost. However it has been a difficult time for our committed coaches Simon Wintle and Chas Afuakwah, who have been plagued by players' injury or absence, with the result that the team, so far this season has used 11 Backs and 18 Forwards. Not a recipe for success.
Many of the players undoubtedly have real ability, but there is a COMMITTMENT required to carry out the agreed tactics, and to really COMPETE for the ball. More line-outs must be won, more ball needs to be won from kick-offs, and there could be quicker ball to the wings.

This article was posted on 7-Oct-2007, 17:54 by Hugh Barrow.