Glasgow Accies 26 – Kilmarnock 7 Match Report

29th March 2008

New Anniesland



“Accies take a vital step forward against Killie”



Accies went into their last home fixture of the season knowing that they needed to beat a strong, combative Kilmarnock side in order to put daylight between themselves and Allan Glens and Grangemouth, the two teams below them in the league.



Full of purpose, Accies flew into Kilmarnock straight from the kick off to show they meant business, dominating Killie with powerful runs, pace and aggressive tackling testing Kilmarnock with driving forward runs from the pack and probing through the backline. After 10 minutes Accies got their reward, stealing a Killie lineout 10 metres out Accies’ pack started to rumble towards the line and they drove over in the corner with Steve Begley claiming the touchdown.



Accies 5 – Kilmarnock 0



Accies push on looking to get a second score as a clearly shell shocked Kilmarnock struggle to contain a vibrant Accies side now mixing up hard yard running by the forwards with some high balls that caused Kilmarnock a sorts of trouble in the swirling wind. On one such kick, Killie knock on and Accies scrum from 10 metres out pick’s and goes, the pass to Ian Williamson who drew the tackle and popped a sublime pass to Gareth Williams on the burst for Accies second try. (Converted from distance by Gareth.



Accies 12 – Kilmarnock 0



As is often the case it is difficult to keep the pace and momentum going consistently, and Killie come back into the game and just on half time get a converted try, well taken but Accies will be disappointed as missed tackles meant Killie had got back into the game at the worst moment.



Half Time: Accies 12 – Kilmarnock 7



Knowing they had to go out and score two more tries to get the bonus point Accies set to work. With the wind behind them they made good use of the boot to put Killie under all sorts of pressure as they failed to deal with the high ball.

Following another high ball Accies recovered and set off through the pack, quick second phase ball enabled Jamie Doig to burst through the Killie defensive line and draw the last man to let Ross Chassells in for Accies third try, again converted by Gareth Williams.



Accies 19 – Kilmarnock 7



The cold and wind, whilst uncomfortable for the healthy support was no deterrent for Accies who were red-hot and hungry for the fourth try that would secure the bonus point and they got it. Squeezing the life out of KIllie’s attacks they went looking for the try a terrific attack down the left hand side with both forwards and backs supporting the play ended with Ian Williamson seeing the smallest of gaps, and being pretty small himself was able to squeeze through for the vital fourth try right in the corner. Gareth Williams again converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline.



Final Score: Accies 26 – Kilmarnock 7



Accies thoroughly deserved their victory over Kilmarnock with some huge performances from the pack. Canny substitutions by Accies brought fresh impetus from the impact players each time they came on and some sparkling displays in the backline. Relegation is still not completely out of the equation but Accies have eased their concerns significantly with this win and can finish the job in two weeks time at Grangemouth.

This article was posted on 31-Mar-2008, 08:34 by Hugh Barrow.