Dumfries 29 v Glasgow Accies 15 Match Report

27th October 2007



"Accies rue error count"



Accies travelled to Dumfries with high hopes of maintaining the bright form they showed against Stewartry. On a cold windy day in Dumfries however Accies fell back into gifting points to the opposition and suffered as a result.

Playing into a strong breeze in the first half Accies opened brightly. On days like this the elements dictate how teams have to play and playing into the breeze Accies played well into the breeze with some excellent forward play with driving mauls and putting Dumfries under real pressure all over the pitch.



As it was Dumfries opened the scoring with a penalty for offside after 10 minutes, clearly used to kicking with the strong breeze the Dumfries full back stroked it over from 30 metres out. Dumfries followed this up with a try from their first real attacking move. Decent lineout ball from 40 metres out was moved along their backline and unfortunately Jamie Doig slipped moving in for the tackle and the Dumfries centre sailed through for the opening converted try.

Dumfries 10 Accies 0



Looking to make amends Accies strike back with some superb play with Jamie Doig to the fore with a couple of searing breaks as he sliced through the Dumfries backline. On the second break he was ably supported by Ross Chassels who looked like he would finish from 35 metres out but was caught 10 metres out, however the pack supported well, recycled the ball and drove over the line with Matt Franklin getting the try and his first try for Accies in senior rugby.

Dumfries 10 Accies 5



Some of Accies play after this was first class with the pack clearly on top of the Dumfries pack with their powerful rolling mauls and all action play with the backs making good yards and providing targets for the Accies pack to feed off. No points came from this period of play but it was excellent play as the strong wind looked to be worth 10 – 15 points and Accies were looking good for the second half as the clock ticked down to half time. Sadly for Accies the story of the season continued to haunt them with every little error receiving the maximum punishment as Alan Wilson uncharacteristically fumbled the ball following a scrum, the ball fell into the arms of Dumfries' pacy winger who promptly ran up the field, somehow managing to fend off five Accies tackles to score a crucial try right on the half time whistle which was converted just to rub salt into the wound. A cruel blow for an Accies side that deserved much better and a real boost for Dumfries who had struggled to contain this powerful Accies pack.

Half Time: Dumfries 17 – Accies 5



As often happens when turning round into the wind Dumfries began to play to their strengths of strong running and close driving play through their big pack which retained possession well and frustrated Accies as they just couldn't get control of the ball and 5 mins into the second half the Dumfries pack drive to Accies line and with Accies running out of defenders the ball is spun wide left and sadly two further missed tackles let Dumfries in for a deserved try.

Dumfries 22 – Accies 5



Finally Accies burst into life and start to turnover Dumfries ball on one occasion No.8 Graeme Simpson strode downfield with the ball, with the backs calling for the pass and an overlap Graeme threw out the pass, unfortunately for him and Accies the ball sailed straight into the arms of the Dumfries centre who promptly ran the ball back 50 metres to score under the posts. An exceptionally cruel blow which effectively sealed the game for Dumfries and one which summed up Accies season so far in that any error at any time in any game is being punished to the full extent.

Dumfries 29 – Accies 5



With pride at stake Accies pack come back at Dumfries and the team as a whole come to life and their hard work is rewarded as Alan Wilson ran over for a well deserved try from a scrum pick up 5 metres out. Dumfries 29 – Accies 10.

As if transformed, a third try followed immediately from the restart as Accies drove straight back at Dumfries and under pressure from Accies Dumfries fail to clear and Alan Wilson put Ross Chassels in for Accies' third try and Accies supporters were believing that a fourth try bonus point could be possible. Sadly it wasn't to be as Dumfries ran the clock down and the game finished 29 – 15 in Dumfries' favour. To say Dumfries were relieved and delighted with this win was an understatement as they celebrated at the whistle as their pack had been given a stern examination by Accies' pack and found wanting but Accies failure to make tackles stick and loose passes in the backline gave Dumfries their chances and they took them.



On the positive side Accies pack again was immense and really took the game to Dumfries, Matt Franklin played well at tighthead prop and Jack Campbell was this reporters man of the match with an all action display of wing forward play which belied the fact that it was his third full game in two years, also on a bright note the emergence of Max Henderson on the wing is encouraging to all the players in the club having stepped up from the 2 nd XV as he is able to side step and always looks to keep the ball alive and pound for pound is putting in the biggest hits of any in the backline.

This article was posted on 29-Oct-2007, 08:02 by Hugh Barrow.