THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS

Familiar strut returns to haul Hawks away from relegation trouble


alan christie AT old anniesland
THE aristocrats of Anniesland, for whom hitherto a bad season has meant runners-up in the Scottish Cup, were under unfamiliar scrutiny on Saturday.
A languid approach over the mid-winter period had resulted in their being in a position where a bonus win by in-form GHA would have meant the sides would share second bottom on the league ladder.

In the event Hawks fronted up perfectly. The visitors' renowned pack was never allowed to settle, the half-back link was disrupted and the back line hardly featured. By contrast the Hawks backs, particularly the centres Stuart Smith and Ally Maclay, sparkled.

Hawks were settled by a try from Steve Gordon in just five minutes. The second try was a class act involving a penetrative run by Smith before Maclay was sent under the posts.

Following Hawks' third try, from Nick Cox in 51 minutes, GHA had a long spell on the front foot but managed only a try from Jon Welsh. Then, like the Hawks of old, the homesters struck in injury time for the bonus point try by Maclay.

Davie Wilson, the Hawks coach, said: "We should be able to go out there week-in, week-out and put in those kind of performances, not waiting until it's backs against the wall."

Acknowledging his side came second on the day, GHA coach Rod Moir said: "We've got three games to go, we've pretty well got to win two – if not the lot."

Scorers: Glasgow Hawks: Tries: A Maclay 2, Gordon, Cox. Cons: Sinclair 2, Noble. GHA: Try: Welsh. Con: Noonan.

Glasgow Hawks: R Kerr; S Gordon, A Maclay, S Smith, M Davids; I Noble, K Sinclair; G Strain, J Maclay, N Cox, A Dale, J Clements, S Swindall, N Cadell, M Sitch. Subs used: C Aghanya, G Francis, G Mories.

GHA: M Dunn; R Watson, N Cassie, A Bulloch, R McClymont; J Noonan, J Wright; J Welsh, D Sutherland, A Kelly, G Harkness, J Paine, C Forrester, A Boag, D Channey. Subs used: C Binnie, A Rushforth, G Williamson.

Referee: C Passacantando (Italy).

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This article was originally posted on 28-Jan-2008, 08:37 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 28-Jan-2008, 08:55.