The game was transferred to Anniesland because of a problem with the Loch Lomond changing rooms. So the buftie gaggle convened on a glorious Saturday afternoon on the big pitch at OA for a 2pm kick off.
This was always likely to prove a difficult fixture as the Loch forwards are big and uncompromising. However, we got off to a great start with some good handling from loose play and an excellent pick up from his toes by Rory Love from a neat grubber from Robbie Stewart - the first try was in the bag. Can’t help thinking the pass to hand was the easier option, but what do I know about anything? Lovely conversion from Robbie and 7 nil after only 3 minutes.
As expected, the Loch forwards were not going to take this lying down and a right cross - sorry hand off - from a prop had the home support hopping – not to mention the intended recipient. This seemed to get them going a bit and they drove into our half.
Robbie Stewart cleared the resulting danger from Loch forward pressure with a raking touchfinder and this was followed by a penalty attempt, unfortunately missed.
Loch Lomond started another assault on our line with an attacking lineout and after excellent forward pressure they crossed for a try which was converted bringing the score to 7 -7 after 20 minutes. This was going to be tricky unless we got the ball wide and away from the Loch pack.
Another good mazy run from Rory resulted in a penalty chance which Robbie converted - 22 minutes gone and 10 – 7.
Mike Borthwick won the line out from a Loch clearance and charged through, beautifully timing the scoring pass to Sean McCaffrey. So, 15 – 7 and looking a bit more promising. However, as we are all real gentlemen at OA, we decided that being rough and tough to our visitors was just not on so some powder puff tackling was necessary to keep our visitors happy and this allowed them into a deep position inside our half from where they converted a penalty attempt. 29 mins gone 15 – 10 and nerves back in the mix. Robbie converted a penalty a couple of minutes later. 18 – 10 and not quite so hairy.
For a few minutes we just squandered chance after chance to move the ball wide where we had all the advantage. Eventually the hands came good and great interplay between Davy Whyte, Gordy Reid and Andy Drummond put Rory into the corner – conversion missed 23 – 10 at half time. Must say, Gordy’s pass to Andy was a peach.

Second half started with a classic Disco breenge up the middle giving Mike Aird the chance to kick us well down into the Loch 22. Again we sqaundered chances to put the game away – either just not getting the ball away quickly enough or some howitzer passes when the line was beckoning – needed to calm down a bit.
Loch Lomond took advantage of this weakness and after more concerted effort from their forwards, charged over for an unconverted try 23 – 15. Far too close for comfort.
A concerted period of good pressure from our forwards and backs got us a good attacking line out but we were still struggling to get the ball away from the breakdown. When we did, however, a searing break from Danny Hoffman and well timed pass let Rory grab the bonus point and his hat trick.
We never looked like losing this game but we do need to capitalise on our strengths by getting the ball into the opponnents territory and getting it wide where our fitness and pace will get the job done.

Man of the match? easy - Mike Borthwick.

Well done boys a good result and 5 more points in the bag.

The Veep

GHK Team
Fleming, Love, Whyte, Hoffman, Shannon, Stewart, Aird, Forbes, Reid, Cameron, Parker, Drummond, McCaffrey, McTavish, Borthwick. Replacements Woolard, Fraser, Mihill

This article was posted on 3-Nov-2008, 13:48 by Hugh Barrow.