Excellent away win for GHK at Hillfoots

Well the waiting was finally over and the Presidential gaggle assembled at a windy Tillicoutry to enjoy the 1st National League match for GHK.
I thought I might try my hand at hackneyed cliché this outing so be prepared for a game of two halves in which the boys done brilliant.
GHK kicked off into a bit of a gale but we did have the advantage of the significant slope. KO not long enough but the resulting scrum was a revelation and we shunted the Hillfoots pack several metres – not what we are used to at all! A penalty got us down to the right end and the resulting line out win let Mike Aird feed the backs and a good intrusion from Davy White at full back and a well timed pass to Rory Love almost paid off. Hillfoots managed to clear the ball well down field using the strong wind and we were back to our own half to start again.
Jamie Millen at stand off drove us deep into the Hillfoots’ corner and the next few minutes saw continuous GHK pressure from forwards and backs but we just could not put enough together to get over the line. However, a penalty saw Davy White step up and bang over the first points of the game after 7 minutes – just reward for our pressure.
Unfortunately, in one of their rare forays into our half, Hillfoots’ no 10 managed to charge down Jamie’s kick and outstrip our defence for the first try of the game. So, down 5-3 after 12 minutes but against the run of play.
At this point we were joined by the marauding hordes from Alto’s stag party who had just laid waste to the culture capital that is Edinburgh. Their presence was most welcome if a bit watery eyed and wobbly and it must have been a bit of a surprise for the home team to have a minority of supporters. This no doubt gee’d the boys up –and Alto’s Bondi Lifegaurd outfit certainly gave the presidential gaggle a good laugh.
From the restart Davy managed a good break and was unlucky not to beat the last man to get in under the posts. We kept the pressure on but just could not get the ball wide where there were certainly spaces for the pacey back 3 to exploit. During all this time the forwards were outstanding at the loose and here Gordy Reid and Rory McCormack deserve a mention. Although we won lots of ball we just could not finish off.
A great raking downfield kick was well chased by Gun and Mike Aird and Mike nailed the winger with an excellent tackle. This put us in a great attacking position and another Gun break down the blind from Mike Aird’s pass set up a scrum 5 metres out and Rory McCormack powered over from the base to get our first try. Davy converted with a terrific kick from wide out against the wind to make it 10-5 after 27 minutes.
Straight from the restart we were treated to a trademark breenge from our fearless leader, Disco, but, unlike pies, the pill slipped from his grasp. Nonetheless we were still in command with Darcy ruling the line out and big Andy Drummond rampaging about with ball in hand. As ever Pete Broadbent was tireless in the tackle and even ET was getting in on the act.
Given our considerable advantage in amount of possession, we expected the conditions to allow us to totally dominate in the second half. However, refer back to earlier cliché no 1. The wind eased throughout the 40 minutes till it was the gentlest of zephyrs by the end. Even so, Hillfoots launched a series of attacks from the kick off and shunted us back in loose mauls and tight scrums. The slope I referred to earlier was clearly a very significant factor for the forwards.
Not to worry though, 10 minutes into the half and Gun managed to hold on to an intercept (just as well or it was 5 points to them) and race 80 metres to dot the ball down under the posts for an easy conversion for Davy, 17 – 5. Despite going against the run of play at this stage, the touchline bufties were beginning to feel a little more relaxed.
Back and forward for the next 20 minutes or so with good attack and defence from both sides but no real penetration - Danny and new boy Craig Maxwell were very solid in the centre. This continued until a rather odd penalty decision to Hillfoots allowed them to camp in our 22. A worrying position was relieved by another intercept, this time from our flying winger Rory Love who did a Gun and ran the length to dot down in the corner. No conversion.22-5 and we now felt safe with at least 3 points.
Hillfoots were not finished though and sustained pressure gave them a deserved reward of a converted try at the death.
Final score 22-12 to the goodies.
This was an excellent display from the league’s new boys and although it’s early yet and there is much to be done, there was enough real promise and solid effort to allow reasonable optimism. I think Lenzie next week at home will be a tougher proposition.
Smiles all round from our side of the field and Alto, Cammy and the stags headed back to Edinburgh to finish off their cultural pilgrimage –or should that be pillage?
Finally, my Man of the Match – H Parker (Darcy)
The happy Pres.
Team: D White, J Shannon, C Maxwell, D Hoffman, R Love, J Millen, M Aird, A Forbes, G Reid,A Gunning, H Parker, A Drummond, E Thow, R McCormack, P Broadbent. Subs A McTavish, G Woolard and A Fleming
This article was posted on 30-Aug-2009, 16:08 by Forbes Dunlop.

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This article was posted on 30-Aug-2009, 21:50 by Hugh Barrow.