Accies off to a good start




West of Scotland 2nd XV 17 Glasgow Accies 26




On a dry day at Burnbrae Accies made a promising start to the new season. Still missing some key players Accies were able to give players on the fringe of the 1st XV squad some game time before the season gets into its league phase. West of Scotland bolstered by some 1st XV players who were unable to travel to Gala found themselves up against an Accies back division that had good attacking options and used them effectively. Nevertheless they gave Accies defence a hard afternoon in a highly competitive game.

The game was played in 2 twenty minute quarters and 1 forty minute half. This gave the coaches on each side the opportunity to ring the changes and make some experiments with players in different positions.

The first ten minutes were fairly even as the sides tested the opposition defence and got used to handling a ball again on a slippery surface.

First blood came to Accies in the 14th minute. West lost possession of the ball just outside Accies 22. Stewart Smith took it on and linked up with Mike Hermes who showed a clean pair heels to the opposition and scorched home under the posts for Richard McKnight to convert.

By this stage Accies were winning ball with ease and keeping West pinned in their 22.

Accies were awarded a penalty and a good kick from Richard McKnight gave them a lineout 5 metres from the West line. A catch and drive followed by a quick feed gave Jamie Doig an opportunity to break the first line of defence. Fraser Cameron backing up picked up the pass and barged over at the right side of the posts. Again Richard McKnight converted to stretch the lead to 14-0. Jamie Doig sustained a dead leg in this action and retired for the rest of the game. Jamie Williamson replaced him in the centre.

At the end of the quarter the coaches Steve Begley and Chas Afuakwah made a number of changes to ensure that everyone got game time.

The second quarter proved to be much more scrappy with the players trying to fit in to the game. As a result Accies were under more pressure as this competent West side got into their stride.

Mid way through the quarter Accies lost concentration and West scored in the corner to narrow the margin to 5-14

The second half was far more end-to-end as each side strove to gain dominance up front. The inordinate number of penalties awarded against them did not help Accies. There will need to be a serious discussion with referees to see if this has anything to do with the new laws.

Seven minutes into the half a good move from a ruck allowed fullback Ross Chassels to come into the line and his well time pass gave Mike Hermes enough space to romp in for his second try. Again Richard McKnight converted this time from right out on the touchline for a 21-5 lead.

Everyone on the touchline expected West to fold and the floodgates to open.

To their credit West then had their best period in the match.

Firstly they put Accies under huge pressure on their own line and attack after attack was repulsed. However, in the 55th minute, Accies defence could not hold out and eventually West got their reward with an unconverted try to narrow the score to 10-21.

After this setback Accies got back into the game but with 10 minutes remaining they lost possession of the ball on the opposition 22 and West broke away for a simple score that was converted to bring the score to 17-21.

The final 10 minutes were frantic as each side had chances to seal the game.

In the final move of the game Stewart Smith made a good midfield break but was hauled down 10 metres short. Quick re-cycling of the ball to Richard McKnight and his long looping pass found Paul White unmarked on the left touchline and he fell over the line to complete the scoring with an unconverted try.

This performance from Accies could be described as a work in progress. There were too many key players missing to make a full assessment but there is plenty of potential and hope for a successful season. It is good to see Richard McKnight and Stewart Smith back from Hawks as their experience was highly obvious at this level. Mike Hermes is clearly fitter, sharper and faster than last season. The injury to captain Jamie Doig was a problem as it disrupted the flow of the back division.

The pack put in a fair shift and everything but the tight scummaging got a pass mark. Too many balls were lost against the head as the lack of experience took its toll.

Graeme Simpson, Matt Smith, Matt Franklin, Robin Bryant and Cruz Kawakameni should be back in the pack and scrum half Iain Williamson for next weeks for the game against Hawks 2nd XV (kick off 12-30).

Newcomers Irishman Michael O�Neil at number 8 and the gigantic second row Robert Fuller had promising starts.




Starting line-up:

Ross Chassels

Mike Hermes

Stewart Smith

Jamie Doig

Dave Miller

Richard McKnight

09 Alan Wilson

01 Fraser Cameron

02 Paddy Ross

03 Jamie Corskery

04 Pete Meiklem

05 Mike Henry

06 Dave McLaughlin

07 Chris Wright

08 Andy Pogrel




Replacements used;

Paul White

Ian Corrie

Jamie Williamson

Ali McLaren

Michael O�Neil

Robert Fuller

This article was posted on 18-Aug-2008, 17:18 by Hugh Barrow.