Glasgow Accies 23 RHC Cougars 10

New Anniesland

SHE Shield 2nd Round

Saturday 13th March 2010

‘Another Beattie Makes His Mark’


On the evidence of this result Accies should have little difficulty in adapting to life in a higher league. Although the game was a bit tighter than the result Accies demonstrated that they have the qualities in the backs and forwards to more than hold their own against sides from National League Division 1 as this is the second time in two seasons that Accies have beaten sides from the league above. Last season it was Annan away from home and this year it was RHC Cougars a side from the middle of the table.

The one really positive result from this game was the performances of two teenagers playing their first game in the 1st XV. Kenneth Beattie comes from a pretty useful rugby pedigree and like his big cousin Jonny in the game against England was awarded the man of the match accolade for an outstanding performance. He left the Academy in June at the end of fifth year, broke his ankle in October playing for the 2nd XV and fought back to fitness with regular sessions in the gym on the weights. He is indeed a prospect for the future.

Andrew Smart, another Glasgow Academy boy, came on mid way through the first half, following an injury to Craig Wright, and after a slightly nervous start made his mark on the game with a sound defence, good support play and some highly positive running. The 2nd XV have this season produced some good players, and by the way won again by beating Strathendrick 25-3 and are now promoted as champions of their division.

The game itself was a bit of a curates egg, good in parts. The first half was instantly forgettable. It was stop start and riddled with errors. Both sides had chances to score but it was the visitors who converted one of them to points when, mid way through the half after a number of phases, they forced their way over for an unconverted try.

Throughout the half Accies backs had looked lively and seemed much sharper than their opponents. The main problem was the number of penalties Accies conceded especially when deep inside the visitors 22. Also Accies will have to stop contesting refereeing decisions, this cost them four penalties.

If the first half was turgid the second was sparkling. Within two minutes Accies were back on level terms. A beautiful 8-9-14 move from 45 metres out saw Mike Hermes scortch over in the corner to waken up the Accies support. From then on apart from a dreadful five minutes Accies were in the ascendancy.

Wave after wave of Accies attacks only resulted in two penalty goals converted by Richard McKnight 11-5

Alan Wilson went off with a shoulder injury and Jamie Doig came into stand off and fullback Brad Bell into the centre. Ali McLaren came on and played full back.

With 20 minutes remaining there was a long stoppage for an injury to an RHC player.

This break seemed to revitalise the visitors and within two minutes they scored another try. A long speculative kick by Accies was run back and then a penalty awarded. This took RHC deep into Accies half were they took advantage of the reorganised Accies defence to slip through for a try. The relatively easy conversion was missed and Accies were still in the lead at 11-10.

Fortunately Accies took this set back seriously and we were to witness one of the best tries seen at New Anniesland for many year.

Ali McLaren picked up the ball inside his 22 and opened up a gap using his considerable pace. Stewart Smith was on hand along with Jamie Doig and then out to the flying wing Mike Hermes. Mike made a lot of ground before being challenged by the fullback but a perfectly timed pass inside to Stewart Smith and the big centre romped over. Ali McLaren missed the conversion but Accies were now 6 points clear at 16-10.

The remaining 10 minutes were frantic as both sides attempted to win the game. In the end and in the last move of the game RHC tried to run the ball from their own goal line. However Stewart Smith read the move perfectly and intercepted barely one metre out to make sure that Accies were into the quarterfinal. Ali McLaren’s conversion was the final action of the game. Close but deserved and the promise of the past few weeks maintained.

One unusual feature of the game was the number of times that Matteo Giovanazzi took the ball against the head in the scrums. He claims 9 but then you know that for a small man size is important.

Accies were almost at full strength in the backs but quite a few forwards were missing, Sandy Fitzpatrick, Steve Begley, Chris Wright and Graeme Simpson to name but four and of course Cruz has gone away to America. It is reassuring that with absentees the replacements are up to the mark because there is still a long way to go this season.

Next Saturday it is back to league business when Highland are the visitors to New Anniesland. Please note that the game kicks off at 2-30pm and not at 3-00pm as advertised

This article was posted on 14-Mar-2010, 08:20 by Hugh Barrow.