Hawks 2’s versus Watsonians 5/1/08


“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential” – Sir Winston Churchill


A new year and some new faces to go along with that, as the return match versus Watsonians approached. The first match was played in perfect rugby conditions earlier in the season on the main pitch at New Anniesland and Hawks had been convincing winners with a good blend of experience and youth.


This time though it was a case of too many young faces and too many faces of players unfamiliar with each other.


Dull conditions overhead and freezing cold awaited us at Myreside, where we were playing on a pitch away from the traditional 2nd pitch. Hawks lost the toss and had to play with the wind for the 1st half but in some ways that was to prove no advantage as we struggled to get into the right areas for a consistent period. Indeed a few kicks ran too far and consequently we had to start again from our own half.


The lineout was misfiring badly – not through the fault of any individual but because of a lack of familiarity – and the much heavier ‘sonians forwards were in the ascendancy.


At the end of the half each side had scored a penalty with only two real moments of interest. One where the home scrum half was rucked out by his own players and another where a Hawks breakout was thwarted by the home touch judge putting up his flag when prompted by some supporters – incorrectly!



HALF TIME: Hawks 3 Watsonians 3


The 2nd half was always going to be difficult into the wind and the home #10 set about putting Hawks into the areas they had sought earlier.


Despite some brave individual performances, notably from Colin Tennant who stayed on despite a neck strain, the more cohesive play of our opponents brought dividends. Four tries, three conversions and a penalty made the final score 32-3 for Watsonians.


Thanks go to Andy McTavish, Scott Cameron and Pete Broadbent for stepping in at the last minute and helping out. Also to Andy Plastow, Jake Love and KB for assistance with all the minutiae.


It was a weary and hungry squad which made their way on to the bus after the 1st XV game finished. Not a good day out in Edinburgh.

This article was posted on 9-Jan-2008, 07:53 by Hugh Barrow.