Accies make Good Start to 2010

Glasgow Accies 48 Stewartry 0

New Anniesland
Saturday 23rd January 2010

In a game that Accies dominated throughout the Accies forward put in a huge performance straight from the start to snuff out the expected challenge from a tough and sizeable Stewartry pack. In the end six of the eight tries were scored by the forwards including five from the second row, three by Cruz and two by Steve Begley. Jack Walker was the other forward to score. To even things out the wingers Dougie Horne and Mike Hermes got the other two tries.
This was not a forwarded dominated game as there was a good proportion of running and handling by the backs as well and it was only a stubborn defensive effort by Stewartry close to their own line that stopped an even greater scoreline.
Straight from the start it was obvious that the players were glad to be back on the field after a six-week layoff. The Accies pack simply tore into their opponents and it took only 7 minutes for the first try. Mike Hermes chased a deft kick by Richard McKnight down the right touchline. He caught his opposite number in possession and forced him into touch five metres from his own line. A catch and drive by Steve Begley was held up but Cruz was on hand to force his way over. Richard McKnight converted from well out and Accies lead by 7-0.
For the next 10 minutes Accies continued to keep control of the ball but the handling in the backs was a bit laboured and too often they ran back into traffic. The forwards then changed tactics and went for a rolling maul that took play to five metres from the Stewartry line where they were awarded the put in at the five-meter lineout. Steve Begley took on a beautiful take by Jack Walker and he drove over the line for the second try.
12-0
In the 25th minute Dougie Horne made a spectacular break down the left touchline, one of a number throughout the game. but his final pass to Cruz was adjudged to be forward and the chance was lost.
On the half hour Matteo Giovanazzi broke away from the front of the lineout and scampered upfield before finding Richard McKnight on his inside, he in turn fed it on to Jack Walker backing up and the big flanker finished off from twenty metres with a try close to the posts. Richard McKnight duly converted for a 19-0 lead.
The bonus point was now coming nearer and it duly arrived five minutes before the interval with a spectacular try.
Cruz fielded a kick deep inside his own half close to the right hand touchline. Under pressure he cleverly flicked it up to Richard McKnight. He surged forward and opened up the defence before finding Dougie Horne with a long pass. From 45 metres out the left-winger left three players in his wake before touching down in the corner. Richard McKnight converted from the touchline to complete the first half scoring at 26-0
All in all a satisfactory first half in which Accies showed very little rustiness after the long lay off.
Accies started the second half in much the same vein attacking straight from the kick off. Early runs by Brad Bell and Mike Hermes and then by Cruz were all held up on the line. Then a blindside break from Richard McKnight from a set scrum released Mike Hermes but he was forced into touch-in-goal.
Eventually in the 47th minute Accies won a loose ball from broken play and Steve Begley ran in from 20 metres for the try. 31-0.
At this stage Ben Wilkinson came on at stand off for Alan Wilson who moved to scrum half to replace Richard McKnight and Claudio Urra came on at 6. to replace Jack Walker.
The changes seemed to re-enervate the team. In the 57th minute Cruz scored his second try from a powerful charge from five metres out that the opposition were unable to halt.
Straight from the kick off Stewart Smith fielded the ball and took off up the middle of the field. He found hooker Matteo Giovanazzi on his right. He set off on a lung bursting surge and when challenged slipped the ball to Cruz who romped in at the corner for his third try of the afternoon. 43-0
The last ten minutes proved to be scrappy as the forward became looser and looser with them all wanting to score tries. Eventually Mike Hermes settled them down with one of his characteristic darts up the right wing. He was stopped short but an opponent kicked the ball out of his hand and he caught it to score a try that his efforts had deserved. Again Richard McKnight converted from the touchline for a 48-0 victory.
This was a satisfying performance and continued the good play in the games just before the Christmas break. A similar level of performance will be needed in the away fixtures the first of which is next Saturday when Hawick YM are the opponents.
The coach leaves Anniesland at 10am and supporters are invited to join the travelling party.
Team
15 Brad Bell
14 Mike Hermes
13 Stewart Smith
12 Jamie Doig (Captain)
11 Dougie Horne
10 Alan Wilson
09 Richard McKnight

01 David Calder
02 Matteo Giovanazzi
03 Fabi Marchetti
04 Steve Begley
05 Cruz Kakaweni
06 Jack Walker
07 Chris Wright
08 Graeme Simpson
16 Matt Smith
17 Claudio Urra
18 Ben Wilkinson

This article was originally posted on 24-Jan-2010, 08:31 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 24-Jan-2010, 08:32.