Match Report v Cambuslang

Great to be back at Anniesland to watch rugby again, even in what can only be described as testing conditions - not a good day for programme sales or writing match notes!

GHK kicked off into the wind attacking the Crow Road end of Pitch 4 which looked in remarkable condition despite the battering taken over the shutdown period. In the first quarter of the first half GHK put Cambuslang under quite a bit of pressure in their own half, thanks to good scrummaging and a couple of excellent nudges into the bottom corner by our stand off. However, a mixture of stout defence and poor handling by the attacking side kept the score sheet clean until Andy Fleming kicked a penalty midway in the Cambuslang half in front of the posts. 3 – 0

Another good spell of pressure saw Cammy spill the ball in good attacking position close to the Cambuslang line. Shortly after this passage of play the visitors were penalised for not releasing, another successful penalty kick by Andy Fleming. 6 – 0

The visitors were penalised again in their own half for not retreating 10 metres at a penalty, however the referee correctly let advantage run, deciding the home side had no advantage – Andy Fleming kicking the penalty to take the score to 9 – 0 at half time.

Not much in the game in the second half, although Cambuslang were reduced to 14 men after 15 minutes when their wing forward was sin binned for backchat. GHK didn’t really take advantage from the reduction in numbers but continued to put the visitors under pressure in the scrums. Over this initial period there were good bringes by the forwards with Messrs Woolard, McGhee & Drummond to the fore.

Possession led to Rory Love getting the ball in open play however he didn’t have quite enough space, or gas to steal past the Cambuslang defence. Shortly after, Cambuslang kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 9 – 3. The home side also missed a sitter of a chance with Andy Fleming dropping the ball close to the tryline. The visitors were awarded another penalty following some good pressure in our half and scored due to some poor tacking in defence. Were the tables turning as Cambuslang converted to lead by for the first time at 9 – 10?

The match became somewhat towsy in the last quarter, due to both sides anxiety to seal the game. Cambuslang were in a good attacking position when Mike Borthwick turned over possession in our 22 at a critical time. GHK had a period of possession and who else but young Borthwick turned up to take a pass just inside the opposition half in what was to be the last move of the game. Despite the visitors stand off rumbling in hot pursuit, and to cheers from the home support, he managed to make the line for a match saving score - duly converted and the whistle blew. Final score 16 – 10 to the home side.
This article was posted on 17-Jan-2011, 21:57 by Lindsay Kerr.

This article was posted on 17-Jan-2011, 23:44 by Hugh Barrow.