GHK win vs Cumbernauld


The sunny conditions at Old Anniesland were ideal for running rugby and GHK hit the sort of form that all at OA know they are capable of with an exhilarating display of running rugby that produced 11 tries in a 63 - 10 win over Cumbernauld. Whilst the backs scored all the tries the forwards provided an excellent platform,generally dominating the set piece, winning good quick ball and popping up in support with some great link play.
Good work from,birthday boy, Hugh Parker provided a sign of things to come by retaining possession from the GHK kick off. A few minutes later the ball was moved from a quick tap free kick through several players' hands ending with Mike Borthwick feeding a clever inside pass to Gerry Hawkes for an unconverted try. 5-0 in 6 mins. GHK's tails were up and from a well taken lineout Rory Love intruded at pace to cut through the centres with Tony Herron joining the move from full back to take a well timed pass to dot down for a try to make it 10 - 0 after 9 mins.
Cumbernauld tried to get in to the game and had several phases of possession in GHK's 22 but couldn't break down the strong defence. A chip to touch in GHK's 22 gave GHK the line out and Andy Fleming launched an attack from deep with a deft chip over Cumbernauld's defence; Andy Drummond got the bounce and set up the ruck and the ball was quickly recycled with twinkle toes Gordi Reid ghosting past a couple of defenders before providing an excellent off load to Mike Aird who ran in to touch down close enough for Andy Fleming to convert. 17 - 0 in 12 mins.
GHK looked dangerous every time they got the ball and Cumbernauld were having a hard job containing the handling and support play.A Cumbernauld attack broke down close to touch and Gerry Hawkes fed the ball back inside which was moved quickly by Andy Fleming with a long pass to Gordi Reid and on to Rory Love. The ball went loose but Rory got his boot to it and won the chase to score the first of his 5 tries to make it 22-0 on 17 mins.
Cumbernauld showed signs of recovering from the shell shock of the GHK onslaught and were again getting more in to the game with some strong running in the centre and good forward support play but GHK soaked up the pressure and when awarded a penalty found an excellent touch 5 metres out. Cumbernauld held firm and stole the ball to clear to 20 metres. Andy Drummond produced a great take at the tail and quick ball was moved wide with Andy Shedden firing a long miss pass to Rory Love who went outside his man to score out wide. Andy Fleming converted to make the score 29-0 in as many minutes.
The game was effectively over but Cumbernauld didn't think so and a good break in the centre ended in a penalty to Cumbernauld in front of the posts. 29 - 3 in 31 mins. Cumbernauld continued to put good phases together and GHK started to give away a few penalties allowing Cumbernauld more territory.A scrappy lineout ended with a scrum on 5 metres to Cumbernauld. A slight wheel and the number 8 produced a good pick up to drive over the line for a converted try. 29 - 10 in 39 mins.
GHK had the last word before half time. A Gerry Hawkes break took GHK into Cumbernauld's 22.GHK were awarded a penalty which Mike Aird tapped and fed to Danny Hoffmann who came on to the ball at speed,picking his angle perfectly and drove through the tacklers to score. Half time 34 - 10.
Danny Campbell came on at scrum half for Mike Aird.
Cumbernauld started the second half strongly and spent the first 10 mins pressing in GHK's half but as with the first half , GHK soaked up the pressure and always looked likely to open up again. Greg Woolard came on for Mike Borthwick after 57 mins.
GHK disrupted a Cumbernauld scrum and won the put in. Excellent handling and a great angle by Tony Herron , intruding off Danny Hoffmann, released Rory Love who scampered in to score in the corner. 39-10 in 62 mins.
Tommy Horton replaced Cammy McLay on 65 mins,followed by Mike Borthwick and Mike Aird coming back on for Andy Drummond and Andy Fleming who had both taken knocks. Frank Hay did well to control ball at the back of a loose scrum and GHK were awarded a penalty from the ruck. Another quick tap was passed to Tony Herron who showed great skill with a chip and catch at pace and fed Gerry Hawkes who ran through to score between the posts, Try converted by Mike Aird. 46-10.
GHK showed no signs of letting up and were producing some great passing and support play throughout the team. Cumbernauld's cause become even more difficult when their number 6 was yellow carded for foul play, which turned in to a red for what appeared to be back chat. From the penalty good hands and a great line from Mike Borthwick broke the defence with Tony Herron taking his pass at speed, running behind the posts for a well worked score. Danny Campbell converted . 53 - 10 in 77 mins.
From the kick off the ball was moved left with an overhead pass to Tony Herron who broke the line and linked with Rory Love who outpaced the cover for an unconverted score. 58 - 10.
Andy Drummond came back on and Alan Tilston took a breather. Frank Hay made a lovely break after GHK stole maul ball but couldn't get his pass away to the 3 man overlap. However, the ball was won again and Mike Aird delivered a big miss pass to Rory Love who again pulled away to score in the corner. Final score 63-10.

Some scintillating stuff from GHK with every one of the squad playing their part. The team gave glimpses of what they are capable of in previous games and it all came together on Saturday for a confidence boosting win. The trick will be to keep the feet firmly on the ground and build on this to maintain the quality and level of performance over the rest of the season.

VP



Ewan Cameron


 

This article was posted on 27-Sep-2010, 21:02 by Hugh Barrow.