Hawks 2s versus Stewart's Melville 2s - 19/01/08

“Losing streaks are funny. If they happen at the start of the season, it’s just a bad start. If they happen in the middle, it’s a slump. If they come at the end of the season they’re choking.” – Gene Mauch (baseball coach)

Our SLUMP is over!!

After a 2 week lay off it was to be hoped that a few players would be returning after injury, Xmas etc but unfortunately there were others ready to take their places. Therefore it was another Friday night of phone calls, text messages and call-offs at 8p.m. Haven’t been to a Glasgow game this season on a Friday and just as well I didn’t go this Friday!

Returns to action for Bundy, Gav McDonald and...Rory Kerr, putting himself forward as a replacement for the back row AND 2nd row! Maybe he’s feeling that his future lies there with diminishing speed! Young Dale Perry stepped up from GHK 2’s to plug the constant gap that is tighthead in the 2s this season.

As usual we were on the S-M second pitch, a great surface and quite a big pitch – encouragement for both teams to give the ball some width and early on that’s what both did. Enterprising play by both teams made for some end to end rugby which warmed up the small band of supporters who braved a chilly wind – luckily the rain was to stay off for the whole game.

Hawks’ lineout suffered initially through a lack of familiarity and tactical nous regarding the wind. It is very annoying to see an area where we have been so strong over the last 2 seasons become such a lottery but I’m afraid that if we don’t have a full pack out training on Thursday nights then we will continue to struggle there – it’s up to you guys!

This, of course meant that our obviously quite pacy backline were working off reduced rations but strong running from Ross Neil and a couple of good breaks from Chris Bruce took Hawks into the opposition 22. The 2 second rows were also carrying well and after 15 minutes this gave Hawks a penalty which was well struck by Jamie Millan.

‘Beaver’ Jackson went over on his ankle in the build-up and this allowed Rod to step in as a back-row. At the first scrum it was obvious that he needs to do some work on his technique – basically he had none!! S-M started to use their heavier pack and some powerful lineout drives presented the opportunity to even up the scores with a penalty after 20 minutes.

Both sides had further chances and it wasn’t until the last minute of the half that a further penalty was struck by S-M.

HALF-TIME: Hawks 3 S-M 6

Use the opportunities to run back from the back 3 and sharpen up the lineout were the 2 main points covered at half-time.

The wind was slightly at the back of S-M in the 2nd half and they kicked well to the corner. After 10 minutes the introduction of Gav McDonald and Rory Kerr (in the more natural position of winger!) brought more physical presence to the backline and dogged defence allowed S-M few glimpses of the visitors line. Indeed shortly after the replacements, Ross Neil was rather harshly yellow carded for a spear tackle and the remaining 14 held out comfortably for the 10 minutes.

On the 70 minute mark Hawks held onto the ball well on one of their rare visits to the opposition half, keeping possession for several phases. Bundy, Beaver and Robbie Alexander all kept the ball in contact and eventually when the ball was moved right, Jon Morissey, lurking like John Eales out on the wing, was the eventual recipient. The try went unconverted and Hawks entered the final 10 minutes in the lead.

S-M threw everything at the Hawks line looking for the winning score and in the final minute looked to be on the verge of scoring a try in the corner. However some over vigorous use of the boot by the S-M forwards brought a fierce reaction from Jon Morissey which meant S-M had a penalty shot to win. Ball dragged wide –

FINAL SCORE: Hawks 8 S-M 6

An ugly win but a win which ended a 3 game losing streak. As usual there were good individual performances but there is still a lack of cohesiveness which will only come with solid training sessions as a team. Our goal for the rest of the season should be to go undefeated in our remaining 4 league games, building for the next season at the same time.

Thanks this week to Jake Love, Kenny Baillie and Michael the physio and to young Dale Perry who got stuck in at prop. He was more than a wee bit sore after but he seemed to enjoy his game. One for the future!

Next game Biggar at home on Saturday 26th. Numbers needed at training to assist the 1st XV.

This article was posted on 21-Jan-2008, 16:13 by Hugh Barrow.