The David Gilmore Memorial Trophy Match Report

Friday 7th March 2008

Old Anniesland

GHK 18 – Glasgow Accies 0



“GHK finally get their hands on the David Gilmore Memorial Trophy”



On a miserable wet and windy Friday night under the lights at Old Anniesland, GHK finally broke their duck and won the David Gilmore Memorial Trophy for the first time. With GHK going well in the National leagues and Accies fielding an experimental side ahead of their crucial final four league fixtures it was always going to be close.

In reality GHK fully deserved their victory as they weathered the elements well in the first half and, as conditions worsened, took greater control in the second half to run out deserved winners.



Accies opened brightly at the start, playing with the wind and an experimental pack. Playing at pace they were looking good, playing the game in GHK’s half and posing problems. However, somewhat fastidious refereeing saw Accies concede 6 penalties in a row as GHK made their first real foray into Accies territory. GHK’s bigger pack continued driving for the line to score the opening try.



GHK 5 – Accies 0



Play continued back and forth, up and down the field with some good play from Accies, mixed with unforced errors and some good defence as GHK gained confidence as their pack started to gain the upper hand in the scrums and at the ruck breakdown point. As the half drew to a close GHK pressed hard for a second try. With some relief, and no little effort in defence Accies hold out to half time.



Half Time: GHK 5 – Accies 0



Accies shuffled the backline for the start of the second half with Ali Mclaren coming on a stand off, Ian Williamson at full back and numerous other positional changes as Accies looked to try out some of the 2nd XV. Playing with the wind and rain GHK did exactly the right thing and started to send up the high balls and from one high ball Ian Williamson failed to gather and Accies were in deep trouble. Fortunately for Accies, a spot of foul play from GHK relieved the pressure. However the pressure was soon to return with GHK driving forward through a series of driving rucks that eventually resulted in a second try.



GHK 10 – Accies 0



Shortly after, more pressure from GHK resulted in a successful penalty kick to extend their lead.



GHK 13 – Accies 0



As the game wore on and the conditions worsened Accies started to lose cohesion in the face of a, confidence growing, GHK pack and even when Jamie Doig made his customary 50 yard break through the middle GHK were able to snuff out the danger and turn the pressure back onto Accies.



With the game pretty much gone, Accies try to open up with some loose rugby and inevitably knock on. GHK grind their way to the corner but are held at bay and put into touch by a scrambling Accies defence. The relief was temporary as GHK ran back the clearance kick, full of confidence, to score the crucial game winning third try in the corner.



Full Time: GHK 18 – Accies 0



GHK deserved their win, the first of the series for them. Accies have a lot of work to do on the training ground to get the pack back to the standard they were playing at earlier in the season. Sheer weight and close driving play, in pretty miserable conditions, were good enough for GHK to gradually gain the upper hand up front and Accies need to do some work on the tight aspect of play to deliver a solid platform to the backs who are finally starting to click with Alan Wilson at stand off.

This article was originally posted on 8-Mar-2008, 10:55 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 8-Mar-2008, 23:46.