Kilmarnock 24 Glasgow Accies 44
Bellsland

Saturday 10th April 2010
Another 40 Pointer for Accies


As the old hymn says ‘another step along the road we go’. Accies eventually ran out comfortable winners in the sun at Bellsland this afternoon and gained another five points in the race for second place in the SHE National League Division 2 race for promotion. With Lasswade gaining another bonus point win the respective places in the league remain unchanged with Accies ahead by 8 points, but with Lasswade having two games in hand. It is still a case of who is going to blink first. Accies have one remaining game away to Hawick YM next Saturday while Lasswade have two more home games and an away game against Waysiders/Drumpellier.
In the end Accies scored 7 tries to Kilmarnock’s 4 but for the first 30 minutes it looked as if the victory might go to the home side as Accies struggled to gain possession and some of their tackling on the wide pitch at Bellsland looked a little fragile.
It was a fabulous day for running rugby, about 16 degrees C and firm pitch and only a gentle breeze and that is what we got in the end. Accies support outnumbered the opposition by about two to one and the players greatly appreciate their growing following and are encouraged by the noise coming from the touchline. In turn the support enjoyed some great running and handling especially from stand off Ali McLaren who gave a virtuoso performance and lead the Kilmarnock a merry dance all afternoon.
Apart from the odd encouraging breakout the first half hour belonged to Kilmarnock even if they were 0-3 down to a 7th minute penalty by Ali McLaren. In the 25th minute their dominance of the forward battle was rewarded with a try when Accies ran out of defenders and their left-winger crossed for an unconverted try. Before this they had missed with an easy penalty goal chance that could have made matters worse for Accies.
In the 30th minute the game turned on it head and Accies from then on looked like the only winner. Ali McLaren kicked a penalty into the right hand corner and a good catch and drive gave David Calder the touch down for a 5-8 lead.
Almost from the kick off Ali Mclaren made a clean break deep inside his own half and found his captain Jamie Doig on his inside. He took it on for another 20 metres before off loading to Mike Hermes on his right and the speedy winger romped home for a try that Ali McLaren converted for 5-15.
By now Accies back division was rampant and right on the stroke of half time scored a sumptuous try. Started by Richard McKnight inside his own 22 where he found young Andrew Smart on his left and close to the touchline. He retained his composure and timed the pass to Mike Hermes, who had come from the opposite wing, perfectly. Mike continued the race up the touchline before he was challenged but before being tackled slipped the ball inside to full back Brad Bell who was backing up. The powerful American outstripped the remaining defence to touch down in the corner.
Half Time Score Kilmarnock 5 Accies 20
Within 2 minutes of the restart Accies had the four-try bonus point safely secured in the locker. What a try it was, a totally solo effort by Ali McLaren from 40 metres. He skated past the first two defenders, shimmied left and went right looking for support but even his own players were mesmerised and so he continued on his own to outstrip any defence that was left to score in the corner without a hand being laid upon him. It was little surprise that he missed the conversion but not by much.
5-25
By now even the Accies forwards were running like stags in true Academicals tradition but that was to prove costly as the ball went forward in a tackle and the powerful Kilmarnock centre took off and scored a try from 60 metres.
By this stage in the game it was uncontested scrums as Kilmarnock had two front row forwards injured. This was not to Accies advantage as they are a good scrummaging unit.
Winning the ball was all-important as Accies had the measure of their opponent’s backs especially for pace. They demonstrated this beautifully in the 52nd minute when Stewart Smith crashed over from a movement when all their backs except Mike Hermes were involved in the handling. Ali Mclaren converted to make the game safe at 10-32.
In final quarter Accies scored again. This time they won a lineout on the 22 on the left and crisp handling across the backline to Mike Hermes on the right and he found enough space for the touchline. 10-37
Ten minutes later we were to witness another piece of McLaren magic. Hooker Matteo Giovanazzi broke away and slipped a pass to Ali McLaren. He chipped a delicate little ball ahead and Richard McKnight fastened on to it to romp over under the post for McLaren to convert. 10-44.
By this time Accies had a number of walking wounded with Jack Walker, Steve Begley, Sandy Fitzpatrick and Jamie Doig all off or requiring attention. Ben Wilkinson came on and played stand off with Ali McLaren reverting to full back and still the back division looked assured.
The heat and some careless handling lead to Accies taking their foot of the gas allowing Kilmarnock to score two converted tries in the dying minutes.
This was a mixed bag performance from Accies, some of it brilliant and some a bit sloppy but that can be forgiven so late in the season but they still have to remember that there is one vital game left.
All supporters are invited to travel in the team coach to Hawick next Saturday. It leaves New Anniesland at 10-45am

This article was posted on 10-Apr-2010, 21:46 by Hugh Barrow.