Accies Power Runners Make the Difference’

Glasgow Accies 43 Hillfoots 12

Saturday 13th September 2008

New Anniesland
On a driech afternoon at Anniesland and a ball as difficult to handle as an orange pip in a wet basin Accies got their season back on track with a seven tries to two victory over Hillfoots.

After the disappointment over the surprise defeat at Greenock last week Accies redeemed themselves by scoring three tries in the first half and four in the second to score a bonus point victory over the stuffy opponents from Tillycoultry.

It took only five minutes for Accies to concede the first try of the match. A clever chip over Accies defence was gathered by Hillfoots centre Stevie Scott and in a twinkling he was over for a converted try. Accies supporters were devastated as this was almost a repeat of last Saturday at Greenock. This time Accies regrouped more quickly. A neat pass from Richard McKnight to Stewart Smith and the big centre coming in at a good angle ripped through a despairing defence to score a try from 30 metres out. Richard McKnight converted to restore parity.

Accies were now back in the game and in the 15th minute Mike Hermes broke away down the right touchline and all but scored. He was hauled down a metre or two out but Cruz (anCnoc Man of the Match) was on his elbow to pick up and dive over. The kick was wide. Accies 12 Hillfoots 7.

The game ranged backwards and forwards and Hillfoots on one of their raids were awarded a penalty five yards out. Accies were asleep when it was taken quickly and failed to defend it allowing Hillfoots to equalize with an unconverted try.

The ball was proving to be extremely slippery and both sides were making unforced errors. The Hillfoots stand off was proving to be a bit of a handful with his clever and varied kicking. Especially his little chips through or over the top to turn defence or long rakers to the corners that had the same effect.

Accies were at their most dangerous when they counter attacked from deep. One such move paid off when Stewart Smith ran a good angle and simply carved through the defence to score beside the posts. Richard McKnight’s kick hit the post and came back to leave Accies leading by 17-12 at half time from a half that had been fairly evenly contested.

Alan Wilson retired injured on the half hour mark and Ewan Shand playing his first game since leaving school in June replaced him. His first ten minutes on the pitch looked very promising.

Two minutes into the second half and Accies scored again. Cruz was given a perfect inside pass from a set piece and he opened up the defence with a blistering run from the 22 to give Accies the 4 try bonus point.

For much of the second half Hillfoots had the territorial advantage and Accies had to defend ferociously. Unlike last week the defence held tight. Finally Accies broke the stranglehold and a superb handling move involving most of the backs swept them up to the Hillfoots goal line where after three successive rucks veteran prop Alan Perrie picked up the ball from a yard out to dot it over the line for Accies fifth try of the afternoon.

Once again Hillfoots came into the attack and Accies had to defend with considerable determination to keep them out.

Accies then got a fortuitous break. The Hillfoots fullback kicked out on the full and Accies had a lineout just outside the visitors 22. Accies won the subsequent lineout and moved the ball wide. The backs controlled the ball until they were in sight of the line when the forward took over and Graeme Simpson got the touchdown. Richard McKnight kicked his fourth conversion of the afternoon to make the score 38-12.

In the dying embers of the game Accies scored their best team try of the day. Matt Smith emerged with the ball and took off up the left touchline before giving Richard McKnight a beautiful inside pass. He took the ball on for 5 or 6 paces before releasing Stewart Smith who fed it back to Ross Chassels coming up the outside at pace and with no defenders left he romped home for the 7th and last try.

On a slippery surface and in constant drizzle this was a good victory for Accies. The forwards provided a solid platform that included a much improved lineout and solid set piece. The backs ran and handled well despite the difficult conditions and their defence was sound. Now they must win on the road.

There was one sad note. Jamie Doig’s pre season leg injury has proved to be more serious than at first thought. He will be out of the game for 6 months. He has sportingly relinquished the captaincy. Richard McKnight takes over and we wish him well.

This article was posted on 13-Sep-2008, 22:22 by Hugh Barrow.