New Anniesland

Saturday 13th December 2008


Accies Christmas Bonus


Accies played their last home league game of 2008 at New Anniesland on Saturday and came away with a 5 point bonus point win against a stuffy Forrester XV that belied its lowly position in National League 2.

It took Accies until half time to play with any real composure but once they settled and became less anxious to force the game they scored four excellent tries in the second half to, ultimately, end up with a comfortable victory.

Perhaps the less said about the first half the better. Accies certainly defended with real tenacity but then they had to as their opponents dominated territorial advantage for the bulk of the half without taking their chances.

It was not that Accies could not get the ball, they had loads of it but too often it was lost easily by sloppy handling or through penalties. Time after time they gave away the put in at the scrums and lineouts allowing Forrester to kick for position deep in Accies half.

Having said that Accies lead 7-0 at half time through a Stewart Smith try from an interception 65 metres out and a Richard McKnight conversion.

The highlights of the half were a superb last ditch tackle by Gareth Williams on the stand off who had broken clear and a wonderful front of the lineout burst by Cruz that the referee ruled had not travelled five metres.

Whatever the coaching team said at half time it had a galvanising effect as Accies sailed into the attack straight from the kick-off.

Now the passes the passes were sticking and forwards and backs were running at the defence with real power and purpose. The interchanging between back and forwards was impressive and it wasn’t long before Accies secured their second try. A break from a loose ball at a lineout allowed Richard McKnight to surge forward and when he was half stopped Cruz was on hand to continue the move and dive over for the try.

12-0

Three minutes later Richard McKnight broke away again and when the Forrester full back missed his tackle Richard was able to reach Ross Chassels with his pass for him to score in the corner. Unfortunately he sustained a cut eye in the process and was replaced by Ross Kennedy

17-0

Accies were now within sight of the bonus point and would not be denied. The halfbacks were combining beautifully and as a result the whole back division was beginning to function really well but it was a forward who scored the bonus try.

From a ruck close to the line Cruz cleverly dived over it to gain his 11th try of the season that was converted by Richard McKnight for a 24-0 lead.

Accies superior fitness was beginning to tell as Forrester were forced back towards their goal line time and again. On one of these occasions they healed the ball over their own goal line and stood and looked at it. Alan Perrie had the presence of mind to put his hand on it to score the shortest distance try of his long career. The conversion was missed but Accies were now home and dry.

In the final play of the game Forrester broke away from a scrum under Accies posts for a consolation try and conversion to end the game.

This was a satisfactory win for Accies in an entertaining game but they will have to learn to keep their concentration for all 80 minutes if they hope to move away from this league.

There is now a four week break from league rugby to allow for Christmas and New Year and to play two rounds of the cup.

Next Saturday Strathendrick are the visitors to New Anniesland in the 3rd round of the SHE Cup.

Accies supporters please get away from the Christmas shopping and get down to Anniesland to give the boys a shout. The game kicks off at 1-30pm.m

This article was posted on 14-Dec-2008, 18:31 by Hugh Barrow.