Hawks 2’s versus Stew-Mels 1


‘One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.’ (Arthur Ashe)


For maybe the first time this season the team which actually trained together on Thursday night actually took the field on Saturday. There were still changes too numerous to mention from the previous week’s team but congratulations go to Rory Hamilton who, having played well and led the forwards since his return, earned a call-up to the 1st XV.


Dull conditions overhead, but the school pitch at New Anniesland was its usual good surface and the warm-up was quite focussed if a bit quiet. Early on it was all Hawks, good lineout ball in particular giving the backs some early handling opportunities but careless mistakes kept the score blank until the 10th minute when the forwards produced a strong driving maul (something we didn’t do early enough last week) to produce a try for Niall Cadell. A finely struck conversion from wide out by KB, 7-0 Hawks.


At this point it became the KB show as Kenny, revelling in the freedom of playing full back, took the game single-handedly by the scruff of the neck. Two well timed intrusions into the line in 13 and 17 minutes and 2 conversions thereof, moved Hawks out to 21-0.


With Pene Navu returning after a 2 week lay off and receiving kick-offs with aplomb, it would maybe have suited Stew-Mels to kick away from him but they just kept giving him ammunition to run back at them. The metres gained set up long spells in the opposition 22 but on their first sustained attack, they chose to take some points and put over a drop goal in the 26th minute.


Pene then proved equally adept at chasing our kicks and made such a nuisance at the resultant kick, that it was only a matter of time before Cammy Little strolled in for Hawks 4th try, converted by Baillie again.


Almost on the stroke of half time, Mark Hannah scored a debut try and KB……….MISSED! Last heard muttering something about ‘lazy wingers’!


HALF TIME: Hawks 33 Stew Mels 3


Playing against the wind was to be a consideration in the second half and, with 2 back row players and 2 hookers on the bench so would substitutions.


The visitors had the best of the play for the first 10 minutes of the second half but the re-introduction of Kiddsy, albeit in an unaccustomed role at #8, tightened up play considerably and strong forward play brought a try for Jamie Coskry aka TRY MACHINE and normal service was resumed with KB kicking the conversion.


Again this was an opportunity to really kick on and score a hat load of points but all too often we allow teams to reassert themselves. However the last 10 minutes were certainly Hawks with Mark Hannah scoring a 2nd try and then came the moment all had been waiting for.


The forwards drove ball out of their own 22 and took it up to the Hawks 10metre line after about 3 or 4 rucks. Exactly what had been spoken about on Thursday night. Quick bal meant that Stew Mels were on the back foot and this was spotted by ….KB.


Taking the ball through a few weak tackles around the forwards he burst clear on about halfway. Another player side-stepped and with just one or two chasing defenders he looked around desperately for support. This was way too late in the game to be going the whole way! Unfortunately for Kenny his team mates were just looking forward to the customary hat trick jugs and had no intention of assisting him, other than to urge him onwards.


Being a true team player he made one last lunge out of a despairing Stew Mels tackle and plunged over under the posts. Conversion made by the try scorer.


FINAL SCORE: Hawks 54 Stew Mels 3


As captain Kiddsy said afterwards, satisfying but not great. Good individual performances but not yet the real cohesion we are seeking. Yet again maybe that will come with some consistency of availability – it’s not really a ‘selection’ process at the moment, more a question of filling spaces. On the road next week at Biggar. Please notify Ally Craig as to any who are UNAVAILABLE TO TRAVEL.

This article was posted on 29-Oct-2007, 11:32 by Hugh Barrow.