Glasgow Accies 11 Whitecraigs 32

New Anniesland

Saturday 18th October 2008







Accies could have no complaint about the outcome of the match as a fired up Whitecraigs outplayed them with a level of intensity that Accies only matched in short bursts during the game.

Whitecraigs simply tore into Accies straight from the start and were quite prepared to use their powerful back division to open up play from every breakdown. Accies simply could not get into the game and before they knew what was happening they were 20-0 down. Whitecraigs hammered the line time and again and scored two well-taken tries and kicked two penalties. They also used the wind to their advantage and their 17-year old stand off kicked intelligently all afternoon.

It took Accies 30 minutes to establish a foothold in their opponents half but when they did they looked quite dangerous. Too often however they spoiled promising attacks by failing to use the width of the pitch or by forwards getting in the road of backs. For this 10-minute period they had only a penalty kicked by Richard McKnight to show for their efforts. Half time Accies 3 Whitecraigs 20.

Accies had received a blow before the start when Jamie Stewart pulled out with a back spasm and reserve scrum half Iain Williamson had to play on the left wing where he acquitted himself well in this unaccustomed role.

Whatever the Accies coaches, at half time, said had a galvanising effect as Accies started the second half in the same way that Whitecraigs had started the first.

Straight from the kick off Jamie Stewart made a searing break that took Accies deep into their opponents 22. From the breakdown they spread the ball along the line and gave Mike Hermes enough space to surge past his opposite number for an excellent try in the right hand corner.

At this stage Accies, with the wind, looked as if they could make up the deficit.

Again from the kick off they swept back into the Whitecraigs territory. Now they were using their backs to good effect. Ross Chassels came into the line at pace but he was felled with a high tackle that nearly took his head off. The only action taken by the referee was to award Accies a penalty that Richard McKnight knocked over to make the score 11-20 and it seemed that game was on. However it was not to be as the referee yellow carded Richard McKnight for a technical offence that was not clear to any spectator and so the game turned. Shortly after this there was a long period of Whitecraigs pressure that ended with their big centre being awarded a try when he touched the ball against the bottom of the post.

11- 27.

Accies tried desperately to get back into the game after Richard McKnight returned but the desperation lead to errors. A training ground move broke down when a pass was spilled and Ryan Moffat the ex. Hawks centre picked up the ball and raced over from 40 metres. This was the final score of the game.

There is little doubt that Whitecraigs deserve their place at the top of the league table. They play with a lot of passion and their handling between backs and forwards is excellent. However what was most impressive was the intensity of the way their forwards drove into the rucks and mauls to put pressure on the opposition and ensure that they do not get quick ball. Accies matched them in the scrums and lineouts but not in securing the 50:50 balls.







There are 14 games remaining and Accies probably have to win all of them to stay in the promotion chase and this is a tall but not impossible order. They have the talented players but are still not quite gelling as a team. They need an injury free period and a settled XV if they are going to do it. The test of this will be next week with the tricky visit to Caithness.

This article was posted on 19-Oct-2008, 12:55 by Hugh Barrow.