Hawks 2’s versus Ayr 22/3/08




If they’re good enough, they’re old enough! – various coaches




It’s not very often that a Mighty 2’s report starts with a rant against the administrators in our game, but there must come the day when our season is restructured. To have this ridiculous period when the internationals are being played and some teams can’t get a game for 4 or 5 weeks is ruining our game. Times have changed, players do not like getting up for an early kick off on international Saturdays – school games I’ve heard them called! – more players are going to away internationals due to easier travel issues and as the season becomes more disjointed the numbers playing rugby drop until we have the situation where 2nd XV’s are struggling to even get out 15 players. Start to think about grassroots rugby, the original source of the players and put the internationals at the end of the season and stop this “it’s traditional nonsense”. Tradition only works if it’s successful and the current timing of the rugby season does not work, especially for the players.




And so to the second last game for the mighty 2’s, in what has been a largely disappointing season. It was particularly pleasing to welcome back KB after a long injury lay off and new starts in the backs included John Goldie and Alex Smith. James Cuthbertson was starting his first game since hurting his shoulder and starts were also given to young John Fitzpatrick and the irrepressible Mitch, who sees a game against Ayr as light R & R compared with his normal job!




A slight problem at the start – a mix-up about referees meant we didn’t have one! – gave our chairman the chance to swap his place on the replacements bench for a whistle. Nothing if not versatile.




A firm ground, dry but windy overhead are the conditions that the 2’s favour and with so many changes there was never going to be a chance of us playing a set piece orientated game of any set pattern. A relaxed warm-up – some touch, some unit work and then a team run obviously got everyone in the mood to handle and after 9 minutes Hawks were 14 points to the good. Some fine forceful running in the forwards created space for the backs to use and both tries were an ideal illustration of pace being deadly with Alex Smith and Skinny both powering away from their opposite numbers to give Sean 2 tries and facing the deadly prospect for a student of buying jugs.




I looked at the report for the earlier fixture and noticed that it began almost exactly the same way and on that day Ayr managed to get their heavier forwards into the game and put us under the cosh. This 2’s though didn’t give anything away and defended stoutly, competing at every breakdown and hitting their bigger opponents back at every opportunity. Mitch was certainly relishing this task and he had many willing companions, namely his babyish back row, Fitzy Mark II (17), Riley (18) and Ally Maxwell (certainly not long out of his teens). Indeed when you look at the pack in total, Mitch wasn’t so much the Daddy as the Grand Daddy ( just as well Kenny H was refereeing!)




Ally Maxwell was dealing well with the scrum ball, prompted by the ever young Cammy and on the 35 minute mark came the try of the day, finished off brilliantly by John Fitzpatrick with a searing turn of pace and an excellent angle to romp in from 40 metres out. With KB converting all 3 tries and Ayr only having 2 penalties to show the half time score was:




HAWKS 21 AYR 6




Keep the ball alive was the thrust of the team talk at half time and keep knocking them back close to the ruck – in other words more of the same. Oh and make sure Sean gets that 3rd try!




Both teams struggled to get back into gear after the break but luckily it was Hawks who scored first after 14 minutes with Skinny being the ‘grateful’ recipient of his 3rd try. The expression on his face looked like he’d sucked a lemon rather than score a fine try! At this point the back row became even younger with Scott Loudon taking Riley’s place as he moved in to the 2nd row to add his considerable weight.




The tries came at regular intervals after this, every 7 minutes to be exact, although I can’t work out when Ayr’s 2nd try came due to the fact that the ref had my watch and I was relying on the game clock on the 1st XV pitch.




Ayr got a try in the 21st minute and then after a touch of inspiration from the touchline, Kenny Fraser scored with his first touch, diving on a loose ball. With 10 minutes to go our Club Development Officer, Grant Talbot made his first competitive appearance in a Hawks jersey, replacing Cammy and Sean scored his 4th try.




FINAL SCORE: Hawks 38 Ayr 16




Given that so many players made their debuts, this was a remarkable performance with some very good rugby.




Thanks to all who turned out and put on such a skilful display – maybe it was the ‘no fear’ factor, nothing to lose. Whatever it was good to watch!




Thanks to Andy Plastow for physio duties and Jake Love for general admin duties.




Last game next week with a Court Session after. If you have any crimes to report call Crimestoppers…… or even better get in touch with me on Tuesday AT TRAINING!!!

This article was posted on 25-Mar-2008, 11:14 by Hugh Barrow.