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WHITECRAIGS V GLASGOW ACCIES
Monday, 02 March 2009
A SPIRITED second half display from Whitecraigs ensured that the pressure continues to mount on the chasing pack in the title race. The run away league leaders welcomed a strong Glasgow Accies side to West Lodge on Sunday and they had to come from behind to finally secure victory. The visitors, who sit fourth in the league, made all the early running but were left to rue their missed opportunities after squandering a host of kickable penalties.
After being forced to defend throughout the opening exchanges Craigs eventually managed to get quick ball on the halfway line after 15 minutes and raced away for a try. Phil Nicol broke through the midfield before slick handling allowed Graeme Fisher to go past his opposite man for a touch down in the corner. Despite taking the lead it was still Accies who were on top and in the final 10 minutes of the first half they were camped in the Craigs danger zone looking for a score of their own. The home defence was eventually breached after good work down the blindside and a superb conversion from the touch line pushed Accies into the lead.
Craigs almost hit back immediately when Gavin Mahindru, who was playing in an unfamiliar role at stand off, made a phenomenal break from inside his own half and made a lungbusting sprint for the line. But the Accies defence scrambled well and bundled him into touch just short of the whitewash.
At the start of the second period it seemed that Craigs were intent on finishing off their opponents and they went on the attack straight away. A clean break by Garry Johnston opened the visitors up and a clever offload to Nicol allowed the rangy centre to dive over to put Craigs ahead. With their noses in front Craigs pressed home their advantage when they got quick turnover ball on halfway and shipped it wide for the in-form Fisher to glide in for his second score of the day. With the game out of sight it was the all important bonus point try that the West Lodge men were now desperate to get.
It came on 65 minutes when Nicol Smyllie chipped a clever cross field kick expertly into the arms of Johnston who went under the posts to secure maximum points. The match finished at 22-7 to move Craigs 17-points clear in the championship and within touching distance of guaranteed promotion.

This article was originally posted on 3-Mar-2009, 15:02 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 3-Mar-2009, 22:43.