Hawks 2’s versus Currie 29/3/08




“Don’t die with the music in you” – Wayne Bennett NRL Brisbane Broncos coach







We started the season against Currie, with a fussy referee, a couple of contentious decisions and a draw amid confusion about the score – and we ended it the exact same way! Very bizarre but then it’s been that kind of season.




As this is my last report on a 2’s game I won’t actually dwell too long on the game as I’d like to have a little reprise of my 3 very enjoyable seasons coaching at Hawks.




Murky conditions overhead and not too many changes from last week as the game kicked off on the far away pitch at the School grounds. Currie had the wind at their backs and with a much heavier pack they looked to play to their strengths. However the sheer intensity of the Hawks defence whenever they shifted ball to their backs was to prove their undoing. The visitors were first on the scoresheet with a forward-orientated try after 12 minutes, but for most of the rest of the half it was a case of Hawks capitalising on errors. Jamie Millan struck 2 penalties before a purple patch from the 25th to 33rd minutes. Three excellent tries, all involving good handling and interplay from both backs and forwards, were scored, 2 by Mark Hannah and 1 by John Goldie. Unfortunately Jamie was unable to convert. A penalty right on half time for Currie finished the scoring for the 1st half.




HALF TIME: Hawks 21 Currie 10




Keep playing in the same style, don’t become too obsessed with kicking for territory was the key point at half time.




Currie though had other ideas and strangled the life out of Hawks, keeping possession much more consistently and forcing penalties out of a referee, who was certainly not helpful to the side trying to keep the ball alive. After 10 minutes it was all square again at 21-21 and only a further 2 penalties were struck, one apiece. The only real incident of note in the last quarter was a serious injury to Grant Talbot, our Club Development Officer, who sustained an injury to his lower leg. Grant was helping out due to a lack of cover in the backs. We wish him a speedy recovery – he has a lot of pre-season training to do!!!




At the final whistle the Currie players appeared to think that they had won by a point, the ref was unsure and then reckoned that Hawks had won. Nothing if not fair, we pointed out to him that it was indeed a draw – almost a groundhog day!!




Thanks to all who turned out for the last game in what has been a difficult season. Special thanks to Jake Love for all his help this season, to Stewart MacAulay for his touch judging and to all the physios who have had so much work to do. Thanks to Mike Blackie for sharing the duties of coaching the Mighty 2’s – it can be a lonely job!




As to the last 3 years…… if I had known what I was letting myself in for when I returned from 6 weeks in Oz and NZ and answered a phone call from Iain Monaghan…. I might have hung up!! And no doubt Sean wishes I had!!




The opportunity to work at such a high level was too tempting and so began a roller coaster journey. The great thing about coaching is the players you come in to contact with. I count myself lucky to have coached foreigners like Sean Fell (sandals in winter!), Simon Tourde ( I can only push 1.5m?), Mike ‘Go Hawks!’ Marlow and Jono ‘ I’m really a 10, coach!’ Single, who I still keep in regular touch with. Great characters! And pretty good rugby players.




One aspect of coaching a 2’s is the development of players who go on to play for the 1st XV. It’s a good feeling when a young player gets his chance to play and it is the area which gives me most pleasure – Sean Murray, Ross McDonald, Rory Hamilton, Chris Bruce, Chooks Aganyha are all good examples of guys who can hold down a place when fit.




And then there’s the area that worried me most – the 1st XV regulars who find themselves in the 2’s. Players of the calibre of Ricky Munday, Stu Low, Mike Rainey, Rage, Franco, Fatheid and even Sitchy have all done a turn in the 2’s and their attitude has always been first class – no ‘me’, just TEAM.




And then there are 2 players who, in their very different ways, epitomise what Hawks is about and I’m extremely grateful that they have both captained the 2’s in these 3 seasons.

Kiddsy… what can you say about a player who does not know the meaning of backward step? Fantastic attitude at training and in matches, Mr 100%.




And in a similar but different way there’s KB. All the guys who have been in the 2’s for the last 3 years know how highly I regard Kenny. I’ve used him often enough as an example of dedication, determination and discipline – I’d have loved to have seen him losing his rag on the touchline at Edinburgh Accies.




I’d also like to give credit to Davy Wilson, Doc, Coby, Keith Robertson and Mike Blackie. All good coaches and, just as importantly, good people.




So you can see I’m very proud to have been a part of Glasgow Hawks. I’ve met some great people who I know I can count as friends and that in essence is what rugby is all about.




I hope that next season we get back to winning ways for both teams. It’s too good a concept for it not to.

This article was posted on 31-Mar-2008, 22:07 by Hugh Barrow.