Stirling County 26-23 Glasgow Hawks

Hawks managed another display of Jekyll and Hyde, moving seamlessly between the two during the 80mins!! Stirling started at a pace , getting runners into game early and Hawks defensive line speed slow. Hawks conceded turnover when attacking and were punished by great counter-attack 0-5 after 9mins.  We managed to get foot hold in game , good phases  and Stirling offside 3-5, 14mins.  Next 20mins dominated by ref's whistle for offside-  3 slotted by Stirling stand-off, one missed , 3 for ruck offences and for variety ref gave one at a scrum!   By the way all pens against Hawks  and , for good measure, the one we got reversed for some gentle Andy Hill retaliation!  HT 3-14.
Coach Little's observations struck home- never seen so many players nodding sheepishly  as they realised that too much respect had been given in first half!  2nd half started well , good pace to movements and Stirling offside in midfield 6-14, 45mins.
Here we go for the fightback!  Shortlived- ball turned over at kick-off ,moved wide and defensive mix up allowed winger to barrel over in corner with 4 Hawks unable to stop him. 6-19.
Front row all put in huge shift and big part was ball carrying, exemplified by Scott Cameron thundering onto an inside pass and ,  not exaggerating , running 70metres up middle of field. The stumble over his own feet a metre from line spoiled a real Hollywood moment!  Move eventually stopped with professional foul by Stirling centre , a yellow card and a penalty. Coach shouting for kick at goal, players can't hear and kick for corner- 5mins pounding line with pick and go's result in laboured ball moved to mid-field and the nightmare of an interception. Despite Sean and Tailsie's best efforts Stirling centre scored at other end, all our hard work and its now 6-26, hour played.
Who saw the next 20mins coming?  3 glorious tries in 12mins. Several forward carries up left touchline resulted in Carvery squeezing his frame over in corner, 64mins. Series of quick rucks and good movement out wide gave Mark Taylor space, didn't need much of it, score in other corner. 16-26, 73mins. Stirling toiling by this point, space exploited  by link between back row and centres and finished off by Sean Murray in left corner, capped by Mike Martin's best kick of the day. 23-26, 76mins.
Right to the last play Hawks put pace on ball and only last ditch tackles and crafty slowing of ball at rucks kept Stirling line intact. They were literally on knees by time final whistle came.
Not enough in the end , although honesty had to prevail when ref announced a 23-23 draw!  Must have lost count of the offside pens!
Always seems lessons to be learned, play for more than 20mins at a time and we can beat anyone!!

This article was posted on 10-Feb-2011, 22:57 by Hugh Barrow.