Stewartry 10 v Glasgow Accies 3 Match Report

Greenlaws, Castle Douglas

12th January 2008



With most games in Scotland postponed due to heavy frost Accies travelled to Castle Douglas in a relegation battle with Stewartry, one place above them in the league knowing that a win would take them clear of any concerns.

After a difficult trip down due to a road accident Accies opened the game with fire and brimstone taking the game to Stewartry with a series of sorties in attack and some strong tackling from a voracious back row with Andy Jackson and Matt Syme putting in some excellent defensive tackling on the Stewartry back row.

After 17 minutes Stewartry finally put together a sustained attacking effort on Accies line. Accies hold out as Stewartry try to bulldoze their way over but huge defensive tackles from Steve Begley and Andy Jackson hold them at bay and Accies clear. A bizarre incident followed which resulted in Accies prop Alan Perrie and Second row Pete Meiklem both having to leave the field with head wounds, Stewartry did not have a medical officer or doctor to treat the players and Accies had to replace both players. Did it make a difference, Accies scrum was certainly de-powered and clearly the coaches would not have made the changes through choice so early in the game.

As it was the first half see-sawed with possession even and real chances few and far between. With half time looming Gareth Williams had a penalty kick to take the lead but it drifted just wide.



Half Time 0 – 0



The second half opened just as the first half with Accies bursting forward and following a series of phases involving the pack driving, backs moving the ball wide and good support from the pack Stewartry conced a penalty which Gareth Williams stroked over to take the lead.



Stewartry 0 – Accies 3



However, Stewartry were also fighting for their safety and fought back and through sheer determination created enough pressure to win a penalty kick converted to level the scores.



Stewartry 3 – Accies 3



With play fairly even and neither side really opening up any clear cut chances time was moving on and a winning score was really only likely to come from either an error or from a bolt from the blue. Sadly for Accies the bolt from the blue struck again. With Accies in control and a strong clearance kick downfield into touch deep in Stewartry’s territory all seemed well. Credit to Stewartry for some quick thinking in taking the quick lineout option and spinning the ball wide across the park in search of space and opportunity. As they moved up the field options still seemed limited, however a speculative kick ahead bounced straight back into Stewartry’s full backs’ hands and he was clean through, Stuart Low at full back made the half tackle but the support was there to score the converted try under the posts.



Stewartry 10 – Accies 3



It was a hammer blow from which Accies tried to recover from but despite throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at Stewartry couldn’t make the breakthrough and the game was lost.

For Accies there was some consolation in picking up yet another losing bonus point which opens the gaps to Allan Glens to 5 points and, importantly, a points scored differential gap of 218 meaning that Glens would have to win at least two more matches than Accies to overtake them.



Next week sees Accies take on Dumfries at New Anniesland. Another tough fixture with Dumfries sitting second top of the league but hope springs eternal at Anniesland.



Regards,



Stephen

This article was posted on 13-Jan-2008, 14:28 by Hugh Barrow.