GHK 2ND XV VICTORY
The 2nd XV travelled to the Bearyards on Saturday 24 September and found it very much to their liking with a beautiful autumn day and a wide pitch covered in sumptuous turf. Fielding perhaps a full strength back division, at least until we inherit some 1st XV squad players, the game was approached with some optimism. The forwards although solid in most departments performed dismally at the line-outs. Better decision making in future matches will avoid a proliferation of line-outs in similar circumstance. In all 22 players were available and only the unlucky Ben (who will have to reveal his second name) did not feature.

The inexperienced referee out of the Garnock pack performed well in the first half of only his third match but lost it a bit when Glens‚ resorted to roughhouse tactics in the second. The principal victim was Russell Johnston - he will need more protection in future.

Last season we had twice come from behind to beat Allan Glens‚ but we were less benevolent on this occasion, taking an early lead which although reduced to one point after the first quarter, thereafter never dropped below 13.

The long awaited move from a mid field scrummage in our own half, with all backs to one side except Liam McDermid, failed as the initial pass went behind him. However, it‚s one for the future. Late on Liam laddered his tights which is very worrying for the future, but hey, have a rest and get some treatment Liam, a run of easy matches approaches.

Scorers - Tries by Jamie McIntyre (2) Neil Clewes, Colin McGonigle, Russell Johnstone and three conversions by Thow (missed one in front of the posts = on the beer money). This information may be wrong and if so will be corrected later.

Substituted for dropping the ball once - Damian Lawrence

Final score 31-13. Played three won two.

This article was posted on 26-Sep-2005, 17:25 by Hugh Barrow.