Glasgow Accies 8 – Newton Stewart 13 Match Report

5th December 2008

New Anniesland



“Accies edged out in close encounter”



A new year, a new dawn was how Accies were looking towards the first fixture of 2008 at home with hope that they could secure a win against mid table Newton Stewart that would ease their relegation fears.

Alas it was not to be as Accies were edged out in a tight encounter which defied the torrid weather conditions for a surprisingly open game.



Newton Stewart kicked off and immediately looked to put pressure on Accies. Early possession was even but crucially Accies couldn’t get out of their own half and although they missed an early penalty strike the first score wasn’t long in coming. Again Accies lost a try early in the game giving their opponents an early platform. Newton Stewart had the ball in a maul on the halfway line and with the Accies pack fanned out momentum was gained. As the ball was passed out to the left Newton Stewart’s centre found the gap in Accies defence and as he was closed down the pass inside found the supporting runner for the first try which was converted.



Accies 0 – Newton Stewart 7



Stung by the early score, Accies struck back through a terrific back line move, Mike Hermes coming into the line at pace slicing in between Newton Stewarts’ centres and bearing down on the line. Although Mike was halted the pass to Ross Chassels was good and Ross made it over the line.



Accies 5 – Newton Stewart 7



The half continued in a see saw nature with periods of supremacy for both teams but no further scoring, although crucially for Accies they couldn’t quite finish off their opportunities as a combination of a solid defensive backline and Accies’ giving away needless penalties when in good positions relieved the pressure at just the wrong time.



The second half would prove to be challenging as Accies were now playing into the wind and rain and disappointingly via a penalty gave Newton Stewart the opportunity to stretch their lead, which they took.



Accies 5 – Newton Stewart 10



Given the conditions it was no surprise that the play got a bit bogged down and scrappy with the ball staying in the forwards for periods of time only for flashes of back play from Accies to break out. Inevitably in the cold wet conditions passes were spilled and the boot was used often by both teams. In such circumstances the next score for either team would prove crucial and fortunately for Newton Stewart with 15 minutes to go the decision went their way and they accepted the 3 penalty points with alacrity.



Accies 5 – Newton Stewart 13



Needing two scores to win Accies burst forward with real intent and a succession of half breaks and one searing break from Jamie Doig, with the alarm bells ringing out for Newton Stewart resulted in a penalty to Accies which Graeme Simpson stroked over and the game was going to the wire.



Accies 8 – Newton Stewart 13



With the referee calling 4 minutes to go Accies threw everything at Newton Stewart and following a series of backline moves the game entered the final play but Accies couldn’t force their way over as the final backline move faltered in the centre of the field when the pass outside should have been made.



Again a disappointing result for Accies as a succession of little errors throughout the game meant that they lost momentum and relieved pressure on Newton Stewart at key moments. However, the fire and the fight is clearly there and that is something to build on and a further losing bonus point garnered may in the end prove crucial as Accies’ are now 4 points ahead and with a vastly superior points for column to both Allan Glens and Grangemouth who lie beneath them in the league table

This article was posted on 6-Jan-2008, 14:13 by Hugh Barrow.