Accies Back to Wining Ways

Caithness 9 Glasgow Accies 15


Accies headed on the long journey north to Thurso with four key players unable to travel but still managed to secure a vital win after three successive defeats.

Fielding possibly the youngest front row in the their history they played with sufficient fire and enthusiasm to merit a narrow victory against dangerous opponents especially when playing on their own pitch.

Accies won the toss and decided to play with the strong end to end win.

Straight from the start they showed that they were prepared to move the ball wide at every opportunity to put their opponents under pressure. This tactic paid off in only three minutes when they were awarded a penalty near the posts that Graeme Simpson knocked over to open the scoring.

Despite the elements Caithness fought back and Accies in turn were penalised for going over the ball allowing Caithness to equalise.

In the 23rd minute Accies worked the ball to the right wing where Mike Hermes gathered it and scampered home from home from the 22-metre line for an unconverted try.

Once again Caithness fought their way back into the game and another penalty kept them in the match.

Half time Caithness 6 Accies 8

With the elements to come in their favour had Accies done enough?

Solid defence was to be the key in the second half and Accies were up to the task.

In the 52 minute Andy Pogrel replaced 18 year Chris Mcalpine in the front row. For a young man playing his first game for the Club in difficult conditions he had done a sterling job and is an n excellent prospect for the future. Andy’s experience and strength were to be telling factor as the game drew to a close. His barging runs with ball in hand kept the opposition in check and helped Accies to keep on the pressure.

With 15 minutes remaining Accies got the break they need to secure the points. In a Caithness back move the ball was fumbled and Mike Hermes secured it to run through for a try under the posts and a conversion by Graeme Simpson for a 15-6 lead.

In a tense closing period Accies held out and all Caithness had to show for it was another penalty.

In a great team effort no one can be singled out but special mention must go to the young front row whose average age was a little over 19. Fabi Marchetti improves with every game, Chris McAlpine has already been mentioned and it was especially good to see Matteo Giovanazzi back from a long injury lay off. Also mention to 17-year-old flanker Pete Tindell who came on from the bench and showed potential. This is a young pack that hopefully will be the backbone of the side in years to come.


Glasgow Accies 2nd XV 22 Clydebank 2nd XV 0

Saturday 25th October 2008

New Anniesland


In a game played in the most atrocious weather of wind and driving rain Accies 2nd XV could be proud of a sterling performance considering the conditions. Playing into the wind in the first half they defended superbly when under pressure and still had the composure and resilience to break away for two tries before half time.

The Clydebank stand off had a strong boot that he used time and again to good effect to drive Accies back to their own goal line. They tried over and over to break the defence down but the defence held.

In the 16th minute Accies broke out with a superbly controlled driving maul that ended with Ali McLaren fly hacking the ball half the length of the field before it popped up into his arms. He was hauled down just short of the line but Ian Corry was on hand to pick up and dive over for the opening score. Perhaps against the run of play but no more than their defensive errors deserved.

The rest of the half followed the same pattern but once again Accies secured possession and held onto it taking play to their opponents line. Ruck followed ruck with the spectators screaming to spread it wide as the defenders had been sucked in and there was a huge overlap on the outside. However the rucks continued and eventually Andy Dunlop forced himself over for a 10-0 lead. This made Accies position more comfortable as the half time break beckoned.

The second half was a repeat of the first with the team with wind advantage on top. Clydebank rarely crossed the halfway line in this period as Accies either kicked for position or simply ran at their defence. Chris Johnstone came on at half time to replace Jamie Williamson. His powerful running through the middle of the field gave Accies another weapon in their armoury.

Handling was not easy in the circumstances and there were a lot of spilled possession from both sides spoiling any real continuity.

Clydebank to their credit defended the same way as Accies had in the first half and it was not easy to secure the ball for Accies lively backs to use their pace.

Eventually in the middle of the half a series of passes stuck and Pete Meiklem was on the receiving end of the final one to dive over for a try. Ali McLaren knocked over the conversion for 17-0.

The final score of the game was the best of a tough but engaging match in which both sides had to be congratulated for keeping the soaking spectators entertained.

Massi Marchetti, who had replaced Max Henderson 15 minutes into the second half, fielded a ball on his own 10 metre line and close to the left touchline. He set of on a dazzling run through the centre of the field and linked up with Ali McLaren on the right wing. Ali simply cantered over in the corner for an excellent score.

This proved to be the final move of the match as the referee decided that there was no way back for Clydebank and sensibly ended the match with 10 minutes remaining.

This was the first time this correspondent had seen the 2nd XV play and he was hugely impressed with their enthusiasm and togetherness. They stuck to the game plan and took their opportunities when they arose.

The forwards put in a great shift and gave little or nothing away. They tackled, rucked, mauled and scrummed effectively to give their back division protected possession. It is hard to single anyone out but mention has to be given to Graeme Ker for his tackle count when he came on at the start of the second half.



There is a huge amount of talent in the backs and a lot of players to pick from. The secret will be to get the right balance.

The two Irish boys Chris Johnstone and Ben Wilkinson will soon be knocking on the 1st XV door and there is any number of good wing threequarter to choose from, Max Henderson, Garry Smith, Massi Marchetti Dave Miller and Nick Butler to name but five. It all bodes well for the future

This article was posted on 27-Oct-2008, 10:34 by Hugh Barrow.