GHK 12 Murrayfield Wanderers 29

A good crowd assembled with the Presidential gaggle beside the big pitch at OA for a match that promised to be an entertaining clash between two good young sides.
Although Wanderers are 3 divisions above us, we were in reasonably confident heart given the strength of the team on the day and our earlier performance against similarly placed opposition: Dumfries.
Wanderers started strongly and we were on the defensive pretty early on and our kicking from hand was less than inspiring.
However, the back row of Borthwick, Broadbent and Woolard put in a power of work and tidied up when necessary. Unfortunately, despite their valiant efforts, the Wanderers picked up a good deal of loose ball and kept the pressure on.
Somewhat against the run of play we managed to nick a penalty from Davy Whyte to get our noses in front after 14 minutes – 3-0.
It was no great surprise when Wanderers scored the first try shortly after this. A good switch from quick scrum ball and we were caught napping. Duly converted 3-7.
We did manage to move the ball swiftly through the hands to Rory and we were all hoping this was going to become a pattern but the fact that we had serious strike capability on both wings seemed to be forgotten.
Wanderers were down to 14 men after an adjugded high tackle which this scribe thought a bit harsh – toys back in the pram Rory! From the penalty Davy made it 6-7.
Not for the first or last time we were done for hands in the ruck and Davy’s effort was instantly negated – 6-10. So half time and we were very much in the game.
Straight from the restart, Davy put us back to 1 point deficit with a penalty 9-10.
Generally Wanderers were having the better of the possession and a good break from their no. 10 was eventually brought to a halt by the ever present Mike Borthwick but another silly penalty let them drive us back into our 22. We nicked their line out but gave it back straight away from an ensuing scrum against the head and the Wanderers no 11 burst beautifully into the line to go in under the sticks for a try he also converted 9-17.
After 12 minutes Flem was replaced by Josh Mihill and Rory by Kerr Gossman. This still meant we had real threats out wide but, as before, the simple option always seemed to be squandered. However, a good burst through the middle from Danny led to another GHK penalty which Davy duly banged over 12-17 and still in the hunt.
Wanderers had other ideas though and a lovely bit of handling and passing from their pacey backs got the a due reward of a try – unconverted 12-22.
By this time your scribe’s patience was being sorely tested by our refusal to get the ball wide and a tantrum/hissy fit was narrowly avoided by the intervention of the Hon Pres with words of patient wisdom and a damp cloth.
Wanderers continued to pile on the pressure but our defence was stout and we kept them at bay. Mike Aird was on great form sniping and harassing at the base but we just could not capitalise on a decent amount of possession relayed from our hard working pack.
The final nail was driven home by a well taken last minute try by Wanderers which, whilst deserved, did make the score look worse than necessary. Final score 12-29.
Unquestionably the better side won but our boys can take great credit from all their performances against opposition in higher leagues and this really bodes well for next season.
Not only a good hard game but the Murrayfield Wanderers stayed to enjoy our hospitality and it certainly was good to have them at Anniesland. This is a club good on and off the pitch.
So that’s league and cup over for the season and I would like to record my huge thanks to Charlie, Ken and the boys for such a fantastic effort. West 1 Champions – mission accomplished. Must not forget the stalwart efforts of Scott Inglis and Eric Hugh and, of course, El Presidente Wilson.

The Veep

This article was posted on 20-Apr-2009, 19:57 by Hugh Barrow.