Grangemouth 18 – Glasgow Accies 25 Match Report

Glensburgh, Grangemouth

12th April 2008



“Accies victory secures league position”



Accies travelled to Grangemouth knowing that a victory would confirm their league status and with this in mind it was probably understandable that their play in the first half was a little nervy.

The bright spots for Accies came through a searing break from the powerful Gav McDonald which set up Ross Chassell’s for Accies opening try, a penalty kick from Gareth Williams but the debit side saw Grangemouth, fighting for their relegation survival, also score a try to make it 10 – 5 to Accies at half time.



The second half started badly for Accies as Grangemouth score an early try to draw level. Some erratic refereeing decisions against Accies saw Matt Smith yellow carded and Grangemouth take the lead from a penalty kick.

Earlier in the season Accies would have struggled but the revival late in the season has given the players real confidence and they flew back at Grangemouth in search of a second try. Following some superb back play from Ross Chassell’s and Gareth Williams Accies flew up the field. The forwards got there in support and Alan Wilson dove over from short range for the try.



Grangemouth 13 – Accies 15



Grangemouth press back at Accies but their handling lets them down. From the resulting scrum, Matt Smith picked up and flew up the field, good support and slicing runs from Mike Hermes and Gav McDonald saw Accies reach Grangemouth’s 5 metre line where the supporting forwards rumbled for the line with Matt Franklin diving over for the vital third try that gave Accies a little breathing space.



Grangemouth 13 – Accies 20



The clock was starting to wind down but Accies wanted to get the all important 4th try to secure the victory and a 4 try bonus point. With 13 minutes to go Ian Williamson produced a moment of bare faced cheek. With only a yard of space to the touchline Ian sold the defender the “Ali” shuffle, with a second defender waiting Ian simply did it again to bamboozle the second defender creating just enough space to pop the pass inside to Mike Hermes 50 metres out and a clear run to the line. In those circumstances no one runs Mike down and Accies got the vital 4th try.



Grangemouth 13 – Accies 25



With only a few minutes remaining, Grangemouth tried to salvage something from the game and remarkably the referee awarded a try when the Grangemouth player, by his own admission later in the bar, was clearly held up.

Awarding the try meant Grangemouth got a losing bonus point from the game and kept their season alive, just, but importantly Accies had won and secured their league status as other results came through. Accies have now moved up to 8th position with a game still to play.



Accies can now finish their league programme next week away to Forrester in Edinburgh relaxed in the knowledge of a job well done and can approach the game with a view to finishing the season with 4 consecutive wins.

A big thanks to Coaches Gordon Mackay and Donald Reid who have really invigorated the team with and the players for working hard and taking their chances.



Regards,



Stephen

This article was posted on 13-Apr-2008, 13:34 by Hugh Barrow.