GHK's improved form continued with a solid 30 - 6 win over Helensburgh on the "big pitch" at Old Anniesland.
GHK started brightly and signalled that they were in the mood from the off with ambition to move the ball through the hands ,in ideal playing conditions. GHK were in control in the scrum from the start,disrupting Helensburgh on their put in and providing a solid platform for Frank Hay at no. 8 and Mike Aird at scrum half to vary attacking options.
Frank Hay picked up and fed Mike Aird,from a GHK scrum on Helensburgh's 10 metre line,who scampered off to the right and released a well timed miss pass to evergreen Gerry Hawkes who went outside his winger and side stepped the full back to score in the corner. Andy Fleming narrowly missed the conversion from well out in to the stiff breeze. 5- 0 in 6 mins.
Helensburgh were in front of the kicker at the restart and GHK elected for the scrum. A repeat of the previous move almost brought another score but better defence prevented Tony Herron from getting his pass away to Gerry Hawkes.
GHK were penalised for holding on in the ruck and Helensburgh kicked the penalty from just inside the GHK half. 5-3 in 9 mins.
Helensburgh were penalised a number of times for various scrummage offences and GHK made ground both with "tap and go" and kicks for position. A penalty on 17 mins was kicked to the corner. The line out,some 15 metres out , was well taken and an excellent controlled drive ended with Gordi Reid burrowing in to get the touch down. Andy Fleming converted . 12 - 3.
A similar take and drive from another penalty/line out was adjudged to have been held up. Scrum five to GHK. Helensburgh defended well and Gerry Hawkes was held up at the corner flag. However the referee had spotted another Helensburgh infringement and GHK opted for another scrum which was somehow lost against the head and Helensburgh cleared out of the danger zone.
GHK continued to move the ball and produced some good phases of interpassing between forwards and backs with Frank Hay particularly prominent, but couldn't quite get the final link to beat the defence.
Mikey Borthwick went off with a "blood injury" on 26 mins ,replaced by Greg Woolard. Andy Fleming missed a penalty but Helensburgh put the resultant 22 straight out. Frank Hay made good ground from the pick up but the ball was slow from the ruck. Another GHK scrum produced good ball which was shipped to the left and Danny Hoffman provided a well timed pass to Tony Herron, intruding in to the line from full back. Helensburgh's defence held firm but the referee again adjudged no advantage to GHK and Andy Fleming kicked the penalty. 15-3 in 31 mins. The referee had warned Helensburgh on a couple of occasions and produced a yellow card for repeatedly not binding at the back of the scrum.
Perversely,Helensburgh began to get more in to the game and when GHK were penalised for the tackler not releasing in the ruck,Helensburgh kicked the penalty. 15-6 in 40 mins. GHK finished the half with a good run out of defence when Frank Hay intercepted a pass and made good ground. The ruck ball was moved left and Greg Woolard put in a neat grubber through for Rory Love but Helensburgh covered in to touch. Half time 15-6.
GHK made changes at half time. Cammy MacLay replaced Carlos Garcia in the GHK front row;Danny Campbell came on at scrum half;Mike Aird moved to stand off and Andy Fleming replaced Tony Herron at full back.
GHK sought to use the wind in the second half,forcing Helensburgh to run back,which they did well several times in the first 5 mins. In 6 mins the Helensburgh tight head fell awkwardly in the scrum. Fearing a potential neck injury,play was suspended for 25 mins whilst an ambulance arrived with the medical team taking appropriate protective action for the player to be taken to hospital for a full examination. (We are pleased to confirm ,we understand the player was subsequently given the all clear).
Robbie Shedden had also taken a knock and he was replaced by Carlos Garcia.
Helensburgh were the more lively as play resumed. GHK gave away a couple of penalties for offside in loose play but Helensburgh were unable to take advantage.
Scrums were now uncontested. This negated GHK's superiority in the set piece and allowed Helensburgh to get better quality ball which they used well with strong running from their backs and good support from their forwards. GHK put in some good tackling in a spell when Helensburgh were dominating possession.However it was GHK who got back on the scoreboard. Andrew Fleming was late tackled and he kicked the long range penalty from the half way line to make it 18-6,arguably against the run of play.
This seemed to kick start GHK who then picked up their game with some good direct running and support play. Mike Aird went off with a "blood injury" and Tony Herron came back on at full back with Andy Fleming reverting to stand off. On Mike Aird's return,the merry - go - round continued with Gregor Hollering going off.
Andy Fleming produced a 60 metre penalty clearance to Helensburgh's 22. GHK's take and drive from the lineout and then feed to the backs made good ground and Helensburgh were penalised for off side. GHK kicked to touch,5 metres from the Helensburgh line. The line out was again caught cleanly and driven over,with pocket battleship Gordi Reid claiming his second such try of the day. Andy Fleming converted for 25-6.
Helensburgh kept pressing and only great last ditch tackles from Tony Herron and Gerry Hawkes kept the GHK line intact.
GHK stole a line out and the centres made ground. The ball was recycled in the loose and moved quickly through the hands to the left to Tony Herron coming in to the line , who straightened up before releasing Rory Love who rounded his man and cut in for an unconverted try.
Final score 30-6.

All aboard for Orkney.

VP

PS.Fancy a flight over the isles with glorious views. There are a few spare seats on the flight to Orkney. Should you be interested in travelling to support the team(and to help defray the cost) please contact President Lindsay Kerr. [email protected] 0141 202 3180 (m)07827 353395.
Timing is meet at Glasgow Airport at 8.00 am (flight 9.00am) and back in Glasgow c 6.30/7pm. Cost £135.

This article was posted on 13-Sep-2010, 17:37 by Hugh Barrow.