Hawks 2nd XV versus Stirling County 6/10/07


‘Success is not (just) measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition (and difficulties) you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds’ – Orison Marden (author, 1850-1924)


This weeks team was hugely different in personnel and even the players who remained from last week’s squad were probably not filling the same position. The hugely influential Kiddsy was deservedly promoted to the 1st XV but a crisis – again! – in the front row, meant that Jamie Coskry (18 years old) and Kenny Hamilton (?) flanked Colin Tennant there. Colin was heard to say after the game that his son and dad did very well, all things considered – work that one out!


On a serious note though I have not worked out how many players we have used thus far this season but I am sure that it exceeds the number used by the comparative period last season. Not conducive to achieving the results the squad – at full strength – should be attaining.


To the match itself against a County side containing that necessary blend of youth and experience which is vital at our level and which I’m quite sure was less disrupted than we were. A bright day at Bridgehaugh and a reasonable surface would have been ideal for our usual running style, but we were aware beforehand that quality ball would be required.


Early on the running was definitely made by County as they raced in to a 12-0 lead through 2 well constructed tries. Their forwards had the upper hand against a badly mis-firing Hawks lineout and their weight was telling in the scrum, forcing Rory Hamilton to make hard yards on the back foot. It took until about 15 minutes into the game before Hawks started to impose their own tempo and style on the game and it paid off in the 22nd minute when Rory Love scampered in for a try on the left, unfortunately injuring himself in the process. Conversion made by KB from an angle and the 2’s back in the game.


This was certainly our ‘purple patch’. Jon Morrisey, Rory Hamilton and Murray Wiseman (already bleeding like a stuck pig from a smack on the nose) were carrying well and with Stevie Biggart, KB and Chris Breckenridge easing new start Ross Neil into the game, things were looking positive against a County team who were starting to show their fragility.


However all this good work was to be undone when County broke out to score a converted try just before half time.


HALF TIME: Hawks 7 Stirling County 19


There was plenty of positive talk and encouragement at half time but with our already stretched resources we didn’t need any injuries and that’s just what we got with Chris pulling a hamstring and no more backs replacements, some shuffling had to be done.


Stu Dunk stepped up to centre (again!), with James Craig switching to full back, Colin Tennant going to the wing (again!) and Ciaran coming in at hooker for the first time this season. How threatened County felt was demonstrated by the speed with which they opted to kick at goal when Hawks were penalised at a ruck 4 minutes into the 2nd half. Ross Neil made a fine break out of his own half but the support couldn’t get to him quickly enough and at the resultant ruck County were allowed to enter at the side to steal the ball and Hawks were then penalised for a similar offence. Inconsistency in refereeing was not helping our cause.


When Stevie Biggart eventually had to succumb to a tightening calf injury, Murray Wiseman had to step in at 9 with Andy Gray returning having previously been replaced by Robbie Alexander. Two forwards playing in the backs was to prove too much to handle and County eventually scored a further try in injury time.


FINAL SCORE: Hawks 7 Stirling County 27



Had the side which started the previous week played then I am sure we would have beaten County. Even if we had only had to cope with players being promoted to the 1st XV, we could have been strong enough. However 4 call offs there and 5 in the 2’s was to prove too much. The guys who stepped in competed but were ultimately under prepared as a team to cope with a competent and organised County side. Particular thanks are due to our Chairman, without whom there would have been NO game at all. Kenny should be enjoying, if that’s the right term, his time as Chairman. He should not be having to pull on his boots and taking the place of players half his age.


The quote at the top says it all, I think.

This article was posted on 8-Oct-2007, 15:28 by Hugh Barrow.