Preston Lodge 3 Glasgow Accies 41

Pennypit Park

Saturday 7th November 2009

Almost a Complete Performance


This was probably Accies most complete performance as they finished off the first half of the season with a comprehensive win over Preston Lodge at a sunny and firm Pennypit Park in Prestonpans. Five tries, five conversions, two penalties, a bonus point and seven goals from seven attempts, including one from the touchline, by scrum half Richard McKnight. To crown it all Accies heard after the match that their nearest rivals in the league, Lasswade, had lost 15-14 to Kilmarnock leaving Accies only two points behind the second placed team and Accies play them next Saturday.

The great run in October continued into November as Accies won their sixth game in a row.

Accies victory was founded on a totally dominant first half both territorially and possession. PL rarely crossed the halfway line and were outplayed in every aspect of the game during the half.

The game did not start too well for Accies, as Steve Begley was yellow carded in the second minute for retaliation after receiving a short arm across his face. In fact for the first ten minutes the referee could see little right with Accies play as decision after decision went against them. After that the referee had a pretty decent game as he realised that Accies are a big physical side but not a dirty one.

In the 10th minute Preston Lodge opened the scoring with a penalty. A speculative kick from their own half was fielded by Brad Bell but the referee adjudged that the kicker had been tackled late. 3-0

From then on it was all Accies till half time. Wave after wave of attacks were bravely defended by the PL defence until in the 15th minute when Richard McKnight kicked a penalty to level the scores. Accies were denied a try in the corner as Mike Hermes had a foot in touch and so it went on until the 29th minute when Richard McKnight kicked another penalty to take Accies into the lead 6-3.

With all the attacking rugby the dam had to burst and it finally came in the last five minutes before half time as Accies scored three converted tries to lead at the break by 27-3.

In the 35th minute the referee put up his hand for an Accies penalty but played advantage. Cruz surged away and found Stewart Smith on his inside. Stewart appeared to have lost possession but it came back into his hands and he scored between the posts. This was probably a lucky break as it should have been adjudged to be forward but these things happen in games and you have to take your luck when it comes.

There was no luck with the next two scores. The first came from a kick ahead by the effervescent Cruz, who was having a humdinger of a game, that was neatly picked up by Mike Hermes and the second from a break by Ben Wilkinson and a pass to Mike Hermes who simply sped past his opposite number on the outside to score in the corner.

After a breathless first half the Accies support was looking forward to more of the same in the second but it was not to be for the best part of twenty minutes.

Whatever the coach put in the half time water bottles had a galvanising effect on the Preston Lodge players as they simply hammered into the Accies pack. They put up a highly spirited and skilful performance that really tested the Accies defence. But despite all their efforts they could not get a score. The Accies defence was like trying to get through a barbed wire fence, you get caught in one bit and when you think that you have freed it you realise that in the struggle you have been ensnared in two other places. It never looked liked being breached.

During this period Accies tried to play it too tight and it became attritional resulting in injuries especially to David Calder who retired with a head knock that will probably rule him out for next Saturday.

Eventually Accies decided to spread the ball wide again and of course it paid off. A surge by stand off Ben Wilkinson and a good pass released intruding full back Brad Bell. He in turn found Dougie Horne who has real pace and he surged past his opposite number for his 7th try of the season and Accies lead by 34-3 and the precious try bonus was in the bag.

The final score came five minutes from the end. Again Dougie Horne set off on a long touchline run but was stopped short. From the resulting five-metre scrum Cruz picked up and nobody stops him from that distance. With the conversion by Richard McKnight Accies were home by an impressive 41-3 and the confidence is surging through their veins.

Preston Lodge have to be commended for their contribution to this game. They never let their heads drop. They are a young side and will clearly come again. It is a most hospitable venue and we look forward to seeing them again at New Anniesland in the last game of the season.

For the first time this season Accies were probably at full strength and there is a great deal of competition for places in the side. The main problem for coaches Reid & Afuakwah for next week will be who to leave out especially as Sandy Fitzpatrick is likely to be fir again. Getting the right blend will be the key to success.


The game against Lasswade next Saturday will be vital and may well determine the promotion places this season. Because of the international at Murrayfield the kick off is likely to be at 12 noon. The team bus will leave New Anniesland at 9-30 and supporters will be welcome.

This article was posted on 8-Nov-2009, 12:53 by Hugh Barrow.