Helensburgh 12-12 GHK

GHK travelled to play National League 3 side Helensburgh for their final pre-season run out before the serious business of the league next Saturday.

GHK welcomed back some Anniesland favourites in the shape of Olly Jones, captaining the side, Andrew McTavish back from South Africa and Ali Smeaton back after, well just back in action.

The game started at a frantic pace with the bigger helensburgh pack running hard and straight. The GHK backline defence held firm until some good attacking play and passing lead to a try for their centre in the corner, converted by their fly half. This stung GHK into action and with Jamie Millan and Jones controlling operations in midfield, the visitors were getting back into the game. Stuart Hunter and Colin Donald were causing the home defence some troubles with strong runs and it did not take long for GHK to get back on the score sheet. A solid scrum led to good ball for the backs and a well rehearsed move got the ball to Rory Love to beat the fullback for a try in the corner.

The rest of the half was fairly even with Burgh forwards going well and GHK backs running at every opportunity. The half finished 7-5 to the home team.

Coach David Ross gave his instructions for the 2nd half to raise the intensity and the 2nd half performance led to generous comments from the burgh coaching stating GHK were better than burgh’s National 1 opponents from the previous week.

However, straight from the kick off, the Burgh centre ran through a couple of tackles to score in the corner. GHK went on the attack and Hunter and Jones were creating a lot for back three, Love, McTavish and Smeaton. Whenever burgh had the ball they were promptly put on their back with some bone crunching tackles by Jamie Millan and Colin Donald.

GHK were mixing their game well and their best move of the game levelled the scores when Hunter burst through the middle, Nessa took the ball on and it was moved wide to Jones who used the outside men as decoys as he through a lovely dummy to ghost through the centre for a try at the posts, converted by Millan.

The GHK defence was intense, so much so that Burgh decided to kick at goal in an attempt to win the game, unusual for a preseason game. The match finished at 12-12, with both teams happy with the way they played. In particular the GHK coaches who know that next Saturday’s game vs Marr is hugely important. The game will kick off at 1pm at Old Anniesland, as part of a double header with Glasgow Hawks. Support would be greatly welcomed.

This article was posted on 29-Aug-2005, 13:31 by Hugh Barrow.