Match Report v Preston Lodge

GHK stumble at Preston Lodge, losing 25 - 19.

Preston Lodge took good advantage of the stiff breeze to keep the ball in front of their big pack,pinning GHK in their own half for most of the first 40 mins.
An early penalty to PL was kicked to GHK's 10 metre line. PL drove the maul from the subsequent line out a full 30 metres before GHK were penalised for taking it down. The penalty was nudged to GHK's 5 metre line and PL repeated the catch and drive for the first score. 5-0 in 7 mins.
GHK were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball and on the few occasions they did,possession was squandered with loose kicks,dropped passes and penalties. All very uncharacteristic.
A catch and drive by GHK in their own 22 made some ground but the ball didn't get away cleanly and Andy Fleming was caught in goal. PL drove over from the resultant 5 metre scrum for a converted try to make it 12 - 0 in 25 mins.
It was 30 mins before GHK managed to take play in to PL's 22 but the ball was knocked on in the ruck and PL cleared downfield. A penalty to PL on GHK's 22 was converted to make it 15 - 0 in 35 mins and another a few minutes later took the score to 18 - 0. Greg Woolard had taken a knock and Alan Tilston came on.
Another penalty was kicked in to the corner where PL again took and drove for a converted try. 25 - 0 at half time.
A bit of a mountain to climb but the half time pep talk from coach Kenny H seemed to do the trick as a transformed GHK team upped the pace of the game and with wind behind started to make territory and win more possession. The handling and support play was also back on song and GHK looked a different side.
A break by Mike Borthwick from a stolen line out led to quick ruck ball and a further break from Andrew Shedden linking with Danny Hoffmann and long pass to Hugh Parker gave Hugh enough space to run in to score in the corner. This set the tone for the GHK fight back. Andy Fleming slotted the difficult conversion. 25 - 7 in 45 mins.
Another score followed in 52 mins when GHK secured turnover ball in their own 22. Andy Fleming made a lovely break and ran 40 metres before linking with Rory Taylor who was up in support to take the pass and score in the corner. 25 - 12.
GHK's tails were up and with confidence restored,the direct running,handling and support play was causing PL all sorts of problems. Finley Campbell - Young came on for Danny Campbell on the wing. Backs and forwards were combining well and when Andy Drummond latched on to a support pass and set up a ruck,the ball was quickly moved through the hands for Danny Hoffmann to make another break. Quick ruck ball was taken by Mike Aird who threw a neat dummy and stretched over the line. Andy Fleming converted to make the score 25 - 19 in 75 mins and set up a hectic finale.
GHK were totally on top and felt they had a couple of other "scores" chalked off, from a great break by Tony Herron and a close drive from Cammy McLay but despite constant attacking pressure PL's line remained intact and GHK ran out of time.
Final score 25 - 19.

VP

This article was posted on 1-Nov-2010, 13:12 by Lindsay Kerr.

This article was posted on 1-Nov-2010, 14:00 by Hugh Barrow.