GHK 64-7 Whitecraigs

GHK continued their pre-season build up with a home friendly against National 3 side Whitecraigs. The game was played in glorious conditions with the sun shining and the pitch in a lush state.

With a host of players unavailable, GHK called on a couple of players to help them out in key positions. Mike Gribben was promoted from GHK 2nd XV, Dave Fearnley moved from his usual centre position to play in the backrow Player Coach David Ross filled Fearnley’s centre spot and a friend of prop Jason Carlin was asked to come along to take the only bench spot.

GHK kicked off an immediately went on the attack with some strong power play by the forwards. When the ball moved wide, Stuart Hunter and Rory Love were looking dangerous and it did not take long for the home team to put points on the board with a try from Graeme Palmer speeding over on the left wing after good play by Hunter and Colin Donald. Jamie Millan converted.

Next on the score sheet was Gillon Rand with a great individual blindside effort where he avoided 3 defenders on his way to dot down at the posts, Millan converting. Rand had a hand in the next try when his run and offload found supporting Hooker Ali Forbes who went through to the posts for a try on his home debut, Millan converted.

With the sun beating down, the two teams had regular water breaks and the instructions of the coach were to keep the pressure on and look to use the pace out wide. Hunter was the main threat with some strong midfield runs but the final pass and support play not quite perfected due to the searing heat.

The half finished 21-0.

Whitecraigs made numerous changes, particularly in the forwards but it was GHK who still looked the freshest with some great running rugby in the 2nd half.

With the GHK forwards providing a good platform for an exciting backline and it was a good burst by Donald who drew the full back and put Rory Love in for a try again converted by Millan. Donald popped up out wide again to get on the end of a nice move by Ross and Hunter to score the next try in the corner.

A burst from the back of a ruck by Forbes was supported by Ross, who found Hunter who as he did all day, beat his opposite man to go one v one with the fullback but found Ross on his shoulder to take the return pass to sprint in for another 7pointer, Millan converted.

Hunter then got a well deserved try running in from his own 22 beating 3 men on his way, Millan again adding the extras. With GHK seemingly in control, a loss of concentration allowed a poor scrum and Whitecraigs in for a 7pointer.

GHK went back on the attack and pressure on the Whitecraigs line allowed the ball to get moved wide to Millan who fired a pass at Ross who saw his opposite man about to tackle him so flicked the ball one handed to the waiting Rand on the wing to go over for his double. Millan converting

Rand then completed his hatrick when Ross took a quick tap penalty and spun it wide with Rand beating his opposite man then the fullback to complete a good day for the GHK men.

Next weekend sees a tougher encounter away to Helensburgh, Kick off 3pm.

GHK will kick off their league session with a double header with Glasgow Hawks on the 3rd September on the main pitch at Old Anniesland. Kick off 1pm

This article was posted on 23-Aug-2005, 12:31 by Hugh Barrow.