Saturday 1st November 2008

New Anniesland


On a perfect day for running rugby Accies kept up their promotion challenge with a convincing win over bottom of the table Newton Stewart.

Although the final result looks like a run away Accies had to play some excellent rugby against a side that belied their league position.

The game was pretty tough up front as both packs fought hard to gain the upper hand without actually achieving it. The difference was when the Accies pacey backs got good ball they looked fairly potent with Mike Hermes and Ryan Moseby looking really dangerous. Although they will probably be disappointed that the final pass too often went astray resulting in the loss of at least three tries in the first half and probably another two in the second.

However at least three of the tries came right out of the top drawer.

The first half was divided into three sections as there was a 25-minute delay due to a serious looking neck injury to Newton Stewart fullback Niall Armstrong that required an ambulance to visit the pitch. It is pleasing to report that Niall was fit enough to return to the ground after the match.

Accies dominated possession for most of the period up to the injury stoppage. In the 17th minute they were rewarded for their endeavour with a truly superb try. Ross Chassels gathered a speculative kick on the half way line and found Mike Hermes in close proximity. Mike carried the move on up the left side where another three players interchanged the ball before passing it back to Mike to surge over the line for the try. This was as good a team try as Accies have scored this season.

5-0

The injury delay seemed to unsettle Accies more than Newton Stewart and they got into a phase when they gave away too many penalties and put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

With half time approaching Accies needed another try and they got it right on the stroke of the interval. They won a ruck on the right and moved the ball left where Ryan Moseby fired out a superb miss pass to the intruding fullback Ross Chassels who simply romped home. What a simple score but the execution had to be perfect and it was. Richard McKnight knocked over the conversion to give Accies a more comfortable lead of 12-0 at the interval.

Seven minutes into the second half and Accies scored again.

This time they won ball from a set scrum 20 metres out on the right. Graeme Simpson picked up from the base and fed scrum half, Richard McKnight, on his right, Richard had the simple task of finding flying winger Mike Hermes on the outside and he romped over in the corner and even had time to run under the posts. Again a simple training ground move but it had to be perfectly executed.

Richard McKnight converted again for a 19-0 lead.

The game then became a bit stop start with minor injuries and little niggles but with 15 minutes remaining Cruz settled it and the bonus point with a romping run from halfway. He had come on at half time and made his presence felt right away with solid tackles and good counter rucking. He latched onto a ball in broken play, stretched his legs and there is no finer sight than when he is in full stride. Defenders backed off, probably because they knew that the local ambulance was already in use and he had a free passage all the way to the posts.

Richard McKnight kicked his third conversion for 26-0


Accies had one more score left. A long defensive kick was adjudged to have gone into touch 10 metres from the Newton Stewart line. Accies won the line out and the subsequent ruck and with quicksilver hands Richard McKnight found Mike Hermes with his pass and the winger was over for his third and final try.

Accies are now playing a much more fluid game than they did at the start of the season and hopefully they will have gained the confidence from this game to keep it going for the rest of the season.

The young forwards in the side are maturing with every game and it was no surprise when it was announced that Jack Walker the No.6 had been selected by Colin Guthrie as the anCnoc man of the match.

Next week Accies are away to Kilmarnock. Would spectators please note that the kick off is at 1-00pm.

This article was posted on 2-Nov-2008, 14:45 by Hugh Barrow.