Glasgow Accies 6 Dalziel RFC 32
Saturday 27th March 2010
New Anniesland
Quarter final SHE Shield
 
“ Accies Shield Hopes Come To An End”
 
At New Anniesland this afternoon Dalziel clearly demonstrated why they are top of National Division 1 and have won 22 games on the trot. They are a well-organised and streetwise outfit that give their opponents little breathing space. They would rather give away penalties than tries and are exceptionally quick on the breakdown and counter attack and masters at slowing the opposition ball. That is not to say that Accies did not give them a game of it. In fact, after the match one of their representatives said that the game was as hard, physically, as any in which they have played this season. The difference between the sides was that they took most of their chances and Accies took too few despite having at least six good opportunities. Also the Dalziel defence was watertight whereas Accies had a few holes and tackles were missed from time to time especially after turnovers.
Although it was a dull afternoon with a stiff southwesterly breeze the pitch was dry and flat and perfect for playing running rugby. Both sides attempted to play it wide creating a good spectacle for a good-sized crowd that appreciated the entertainment on offer.
Before the game Accies had some difficulty in fielding a front row. Loose head prop David Calder had to call off late on due to an emergency business matter and hooker Matteo Giovanazzi was away on a University course. No fewer than four of the possible replacements were injured. In the end prop forward Matt Franklin had to hook and young Chris McAlpine stepped into the front row.
Also in the forwards Kenny Beattie was injured and the backs were missing Alan Wilson and Andrew Smart. It has to be said that all the replacements performed heroically.
Accies started by playing into the breeze and in the early stages found it difficult to break out of their own half. It is difficult to say if they opened too tentatively or Dalziel more aggressively but the net result was that it took Dalziel only six minutes to score the first try following a series of drives at the Accies line. This was followed five minutes later as Accies gave away several penalties, one of which was converted, attempting to keep their line intact. 0-11.
A penalty for a late tackle found Accies defending desperately once again close to their own line and although they did well at the subsequent lineout the referee said that the backs had strayed offside and awarded a penalty in front of the posts.
0-13 and only seventeen minutes on the clock.
This reversal seemed to galvanise Accies and they then had a spell close to the Dalziel line. The forwards in particular were driving Dalziel back and back and the defenders in their desperation to stop Accies scoring cynically dived into the ruck to kill the ball. This probably warranted a yellow card but all Accies got from this period was a simple penalty kicked by Richard McKnight. 3-13
Accies continued to press well into the second quarter and should have scored in the left hand corner. Richard McKnight made a clever little break from a ruck and his deft kick down the touchline failed to pop up for Mike Hermes and the winger knocked it on over the line. A score at this time against the wind would have set the alarm bells ringing in the Dalziel camp. However the let off had the opposite effect as they made a smart break down their left hand side that caught Accies on the hop and their replacement prop romped over with his first touch of the ball. Right on the half time whistle this was not ideal for Accies.
Half time 3-18
Accies started the second half much more brightly although they lost captain and stand off Jamie Doig with an injury early on. Ali McLaren who promptly kicked a penalty goal from 42 metres for 6-18 replaced him.
Accies seemed to be back in the game until blind side flanker Jack Walker had to retire injured. He was replaced by Claudio Urra.
On the hour mark Accies had a lucky escape. They lost a scrum against the head and the Dalziel stand off made a clean break. Sadly for him he lost control of the ball over the line.
Following this Accies had three excursions deep into the Dalziel 22 but on each occasion lost the ball either through a handling error or by giving away a penalty.
They also decided to take scrums at three penalties under the posts instead of kicks at goal.
Eventually Dalziel started to take control again as Accies tired and scored two more converted tries to seal the game. In the end the final score was not a true reflection of what had happened on the field.
Accies never gave up and at the end were still battering away at the Dalziel defence.
This was a good test for Accies as it gave them an indication of the standard they will need to achieve if they gain promotion. There are gaps to be filled and performances can be stepped up especially in ball retention and learning to play to the limits of the laws. They were not disgraced and there were some notable performances in the backs and the forwards.
Andy Jackson was voted man of the match
It is now back to very important league business. There are three games remaining and all need to be won, probably with a bonus point. The first is next Saturday 3rd April at Coatbridge against Waysiders/Drumpellier, then on to Kilmarnock and Hawick YM on 10th and 17th April respectively. We need all the support we can get to support the team. Please put these dates in you diary.
 
 
 

This article was posted on 27-Mar-2010, 22:20 by Hugh Barrow.