GLASGOW  ACCIES  1st.XV   vs.   BERWICK RFC. …..  Away.
 
Score …Berwick  31 -- Accies  26.  ..Report from Gordon Wilson ( in Ali G’s absence.)          
 
With Berwick having come down the leagues over the last few seasons, and having had a one point defeat away at Stewartry the previous week, they were obviously determined to prove a point, and show there desire to reverse that trend. and give Accies a tough test, …. which they certainly did. Accies on the other hand had been improving their form, and with a 55 – 0 home victory under their belts from last week’s match against Newton Stewart, were hoping to continue their winning form. The reality was to prove somewhat different. Firstly, Accies were without two of their strongest forwards.   Second row man Jamie Robertson, an Academical returning from Stew-Mel, and flanker and v-captain Andy Jackson were both unavailable. Jackson through injury. There were further changes. Scrum half Alan Wilson was out through injury, and was replaced by new recruit Steve O’Donnell, a stuffy player with a proven pedigree, and who has been round the block a number of times, most recently with Hawks. Claudio Urra replaced the injured Jackson, and Simpson returned at no.8  in place of Robert Fuller.
   Last week the forwards showed they still had much to improve on, but the outstanding performance of their backs had ensured the comfortable win, and perhaps concealed many of the forwards’ failings.
However, this week, the Berwick scrum was formidable, and didn’t take long in exposing many of Accies weaknesses in both line-outs, and scrummaging. In the first 20 minutes, playing down wind, the motivated Berwick forwards took Accies by storm, which resulted in their side scoring two tries in that period, and converting one of them.         Score……. 12 – 0
The Berwick pack had certainly shown the greater forward aggression, but Accies dug in, and when their backs eventually got some better ball, they showed how effective they could be, with winger Mike Hermes sailing past his man and running in from the 22 for a much needed score.
Score  ……12 – 5
Accies had given Berwick a fright, and for the remainder of the half their backs lost confidence and were quite jittery. Happily Accies did not allow Berwick any further scores before half-time.
After the turn-around, and with a strong following wind Accies produced some spirited play, and it wasn’t long before centre Dougie Horner scampered over for a good score, following a fine break by Ally McLaren, and some strong running by captain, Stewart Smith. McLaren converted.
Score  …..12 – 12.
After 20 minutes of the half, Dougie Horner got a further score, converted by McLaren.
Score……12 – 19
It now looked as if Accies would have turned the screw, but time and again, their forwards failed to impose themselves on the Berwick pack, and were allowing them to create turn-over ball far too often. This resulted in their side gaining three further tries in the last quarter, converting two of them.
Score …..31 – 19
With 10 minutes remaining, McLaren left the field with a leg injury, to be replaced by Andrew Smart and in fairness Accies did not give up. It was, in fact, from another backs move that Andrew Smart went over near the posts, for Steve O’Donnell to convert with the last kick of the game.
Score ……31 – 26
Whilst this was a defeat, the table will show that Accies got some consolation from the fact that they gained 2 bonus points. One for their 4 tries, and one for being within 7 points of their opponents.  John Beattie and his coaching team are well aware of what is required to create the pack necessary to complement the team’s effective and exciting back-line.
NEXT  WEEK’S  MATCH …at Home …vs Waysiders.  …KO….3pm.
 
RAFFLE  PRIZES….  We raise some of our much needed funds from the after-match raffle at our home matches.  Can you please HELP, by DONATING a bottle, or PRIZE for our raffles. If no committee members can be found at Anniesland on a Saturday,
please leave any donations at the Bar.  …  Thank you.
 
BRUCE  MITCHELL…… There has been previous notice regarding the sad and untimely death of Bruce, last week.  His funeral service takes place on Wed. 8th Sept.at 11.30am at the Linn Crematorium.                    

This article was posted on 5-Sep-2010, 14:50 by Hugh Barrow.