Peebles 45 Glasgow Accies 22

Quarter Final SHE Shield

Saturday 18th April 2009

The Gytes, Peebles
Despite the scoreline Accies gave a highly creditable performance in a fast and exciting game of rugby played in ideal weather conditions on a brick hard and grass less Peebles pitch.

This was a highly entertaining match in every way and the main difference between the sides was that Peebles were able to field three outstanding Kiwi players otherwise Accies matched them right across the board. The Peebles stand off, No 8 and flanker played a significant part in the match. The flanker scored three tries and the stand off landed 6 conversions and a penalty and controlled play with his kicking and adept running.

Accies got off to a great start keeping Peebles contained in their own half. On the 5- minute mark Accies were awarded a penalty on the 22 that Ali Mclaren duly converted for a 0-3 lead. Straight from the following kick off Accies conceded a penalty that was converted to level the score at 3-3.

Ali McLaren’s kick off was perfect and Peebles knocked the ball on. At the following scrum Jack Walker was in the act of picking the ball up when he was flattened by the Peebles No.8. The ball popped up into the hands of the flanker and he ran from his own 10-metre line to score in the corner. This was an outrageous referring decision as the No.8 was miles offside and should have been bound in until the ball was released.

For a time this knocked the stuffing out of Accies and they were on the back foot. Their cause was not helped when Dave McLaughlin had to leave the field in the 22nd minute with a leg injury. Accies shuffled the side with Stewart Smith coming on at centre and Graeme Simpson moving from centre to No.8.

Accies woes continued and in the 27th minute the Peebles well drilled pack proved to be too strong and they drove over for their second try that was converted to extend the lead to 17-3.

Accies looked dead and buried at this stage but not so. The defence in midfield tightened up with Stewart Smith putting in some thundering tackles. The cause was helped by the Peebles backline losing their composure with numerous dropped balls and indecision. One comment was made that they should go on line and contact www.confused.com.

On the half hour mark Accies No.8 Jack Walker broke down the blind side of a set scrum on the half way line and continued to the 22 where he found Mike Hermes on his right and he scorched home for a try in the corner. Ali McLaren converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline.

Accies were back in contention at 10-17 and there was more to come.

Right on the stroke of half time Stewart Smith made a thundering run down the centre of the field taking several Peebles defenders with him. When he was stopped the ball was quickly recycled to Ali McLaren who continued the run before giving a delightful pass inside to Craig Wright to run in for a very good try. Unfortunately Ali Mclaren missed a simpler conversion and the half time whistle was blown with the score at 17-15 for Peebles. Sadly for Accies they lost a second back row forward when the influential and main lineout jumper Jack Walker had to retire with an injury. Pete Meiklem replaced him.

The Peebles coach clearly had words with his team at half time because they restarted the game with two quick tries. The back row opened up Accies defence for a try in the corner followed by a superb cross kick from the stand off that found his winger completely unmarked. From a promising position at half time Accies were suddenly losing by 31-15 and the floodgates could have opened.

However the Accies backs were handling the ball as well as they have all season and the catalyst for this could have been the return of Craig Wright who’s handling and speed rightly give him the nickname ‘nifty’.

With 20 minutes remaining another strong run by Stewart Smith resulted in a penalty for Accies who opted to run the ball. It reached Ross Chassells who with only one player to beat was felled by a high tackle when the line was at his mercy. If it had been football the offender would have received a red car and a penalty awarded. All Accies got was a penalty. From the subsequent line out, after the kick to the corner, a series of drives to the line ended when Graeme Simpson was forced over the line for a try. Ali Mclaren converted and again Accies were back in the game at 22-31.

This had been an exhausting end-to-end game and the fitness and experience of the Premier 2 side began to tell on the tiring Accies side. A loose kick from Accies was run back at an Accies defence that had too much to do and the score mounted to 36-22.

Accies kept trying to the end and a great break and run by Ali Mclaren nearly ended in a try but his final inside pass to Mike Hermes was intercepted by the stand off who ran 75 metres for the final score and conversion.

Accies continued to press and although the handling was sharp they could not breach the Peebles defence again.

This was a good performance against a side three division above them on their own pitch and augers well for the future. The backs handled as well as they have all season. The return of Stewart Smith and Craig Wright has helped as has the elusive running from Ali McLaren at full back which seems to have given Mike Hermes a new leaf of life as the ball so often runs in his direction.

The season is now over and in the final analysis you have to look at the positives. There has been a huge improvement from the previous year. Accies pack is now one of the best in the division, and on yesterday’s performance, hopefully, we can look forward to some enterprising back play especially with the prospect of the return of Jamie Doig.

Although the final league position may have been disappointing there was an excellent run in the cup and shield.

Roll on next season

This article was posted on 19-Apr-2009, 10:39 by Hugh Barrow.