Glasgow Accies 20 Caithness 13
Saturday 13th January 2011
New Anniesland
 
‘Good Start to 2011’
 
When the referee blew the whistle to start the game there was a collective sigh of relief to recognise that we were once again playing rugby, the first time since 20th November.
Mind you it was being played it horrific conditions. A strong wind from the South West and scudding showers were the order of the day. Having said that the pitch was in great condition considering the wall of water that had fallen on it overnight and the fact that the School 1st XV had played on it earlier in the day. Incidentally a cup-tie against Royal High School that they won by 8-7, with a penalty late on in the game.
Caithness kicked off with the gale behind them and the pattern of the game was soon set as the visitors wasted no time in kicking the ball down wind into the Accies 22. In the 3rd minute, Caithness opened the scoring from a penalty from close in for handling in the ruck. 0-3.
Accies had to keep the ball in hand to make any progress upfield. Their first sortie was a fine run up the right touchline by Mike Hermes. He beat two men but the fullback came across and tackled him but before he went to ground he attempted to squeeze out an inside pass that unfortunately did not go to hand and the chance was lost.
In the 12th minute Caithness unfortunately lost a man to an injury. This caused an 8-minute delay and the players left the field to shelter from the elements.
There was still a bit of rustiness from both sides and in the next 15 minutes both sides were guilty of dropping the ball fairly frequently. The greasiness of the ball did not help either.
Gradually Accies stepped up the pace and their back division looked strong as they started to move the ball through the hands. Craig Wright, who was having a good game at fullback, fielding the long downwind kicks well and running them back powerfully, broke through in the centre with a long run from deep but was hauled down far into the Visitors 22. Accies were awarded a penalty that Stewart Smith took quickly, before feeding Ali McLaren and from him to Matteo Giovanazzi and then to winger Tom Cullen who sprinted over in the left corner for a well taken try.
8-3.
Accies continued to press but came unstuck when they appeared certain to score with a two-man overlap and 15 metres out. A Caithness player took out an Accies player without the ball. It looked like a professional foul and a yellow card and indeed the referee awarded Accies a penalty that Tom Cullen attempted to take it quickly but a Caithness player impeded him and grabbed the ball and would not release it. Another yellow card in the view of the Accies support. In the ensuing tussle Tom Cullen head butted him in the heat of the moment and was promptly given a red card and the referee reversed the penalty. Accies down to 14 men for the rest of the game while their opponents still had a full complement. Such incidents can turn a whole game but Accies stepped up the pressure a further notch. Stewart Smith grabbed a dropped pass and in flash it was in the hand of Chris Wright who had been taken out of the back row the play on the wing and he romped home from 40 metres for a spectacular try. 13-3.
Caithness tried to get back into the game before half time but Accies held on.
Over the piece this was a cracking performance from Accies during a half played into the gale. They looked dangerous every time they broke out and were able to keep the ball away from the powerful Caithness forwards.
Accies started the second half as if the meant to complete the task early on. They kept up the pace and Caithness were forced further and further back to defend.
In the 55th minute the tactics worked. Accies won a set scrum on the left and deft hands sped the ball across the line to Mike Hermes who was stopped just short but before going to ground slipped the ball to Craig Wright who had backed up from the opposite wing and the wee fellow was over in the corner. Ali McLaren converted with a superb kick.
Up in Caithness they breed them tough and even the two 17 year old in their side, looked battle hardened. Their forwards simply dug in and made a huge amount of ground by driving into rucks and mauls like dervishes. Accies simply could not get their hands on the ball. This was a classic display of how to play into a wind and frustrate the opposition.
Accies clearly had said something to upset the referee as every 50:50 decision went against them. The penalty count rapidly went into double figures. Two foot up decisions in the set scrum, marched back twice for apparently questioning his decisions, penalties for offside, not rolling away and it seemed every other law in the book. From one such penalty Caithness kicked the ball right down into the right corner and their winger won the chase to score 20-8 and 14 minutes to play. Not too many alarm bells ringing at this stage.
Eventually Accies were awarded a penalty in their own 22 and the ironic cheer from the crowd could be heard at Anniesland Cross.
Eventually Accies worked their way down to the 22 and with time running out were awarded a kickable penalty. They thought about a quick one but a Caithness player had gone down injured. After the short delay the short penalty out to Stewart Smith and Mike Hermes running at a tired defence seemed to be the best option and the chance of the 4 try bonus but they decided to take a kick at goal that, sadly, Ali McLaren missed.
Caithness were not finished yet and in the 6th minute of extra time stormed the Accies line and were able to power their way over for a consolation try
Final score Accies 20 Caithness 13.
Good to be back and a lot of positives but still some work to do before the tough games ahead
 
 
 

This article was posted on 15-Jan-2011, 22:04 by Hugh Barrow.