Match Report v Highland

Early start at 7.15am - once we got the travelling support of both Honorary & current Presidents assembled on the bus for the trip with the team we were away up North to do battle against Division 2 challengers.

The home side were considerably heavier up front players, kicking off slightly late at a blustery, sunny park, bound to be an interesting game, both sides eager to get their hands on not only the ball but their 50% share of the gate receipts!

Initial pressure from the home side saw GHK playing a good bit of the first 5/10 minutes in their own half. A break from Andy Fleming proved that our backs were looking to take the initiative with the ball in hand. 2 penalties to Highland eased this pressure taking play up to our 22 metre line. Play took the visitors up to the opposition 22 and from a good lineout Andy Fleming chipped over the static defence to collect his own kick under the post, duly converted. 0 – 7

Play continued to go down to our 22 to soak up more pressure from the home side, fighting our way back to halfway where Highland kicked the ball dead. We gained possession from the restart and after a couple of phases in the forwards to ball went out the back to Joe on the right wing who took on the defence close to the home side 22. Unfortunately Joe pulled his hamstring again and was replaced by Adam Mclay.

Mike Aird made a typical break off the scrum in the opposition half, chipped forward for the ball to be collected by the ever present Mike Borthwick scored an unconverted try 0 - 12

In the 25th minute we missed a penalty and Highland came down to camp in our 22 for another long period. They took possession at a lineout and after a well worked driving maul, scored to reduce the deficit at 7 - 12

From the restart Highland were awarded a penalty for infringement close to our 22. Penalty converted score 10 - 12 at half time.

In the second half Highland decided to play to their strength using the forwards to drive the ball up the middle at every opportunity. Play stopped at halfway for an injury (late challenge) on Andy Fleming and after further Highland pressure they scored another try to take the lead at 17 - 12 for the first time. Or was it 15 - 12? - both touch judges kept their flags down at the conversion but the referee awarded the kick! Despite our stout defence could we hold out against a much heavier pack?

The next period saw play in the Highland half with both sides missing penalty chances. GHK continued to stick at it trying to run the ball wide at every chance, a tactic which payed off with Rory Taylor scoring close to the end of normal time to even the scores at 17 -17.

Shield match so two periods of extra time started once the referee had checked whether they were 10 or 15 minute halves.

Although the weather was sunny and bright for most of the game it chose to rain heavily in midway through the first half, Rory Taylor received a pass in broken play with an opportunity to beat the defence however the pass was slightly late and instead of a clear run to the line he had to make it dramatic by breaking through a couple of tackles to score. 17 - 22 and still raining.

We forced play back into the Highland half and Rory again found himself in space but this time had enough gas to skin the Highland cover to score again. 17 - 27

In the second half Highland threw a lot of pressure at us in our own half but the team defended resolutely to ensure that they held on for a 10 point victory. Next round of the Shield beckons to ensure even more fixture disruption!

Rory Taylor man of the match for his 3 tries, other displays from Mike Aird, Fleming, Tilston and Gordy Reid worthy of mention. Well done guys a great result, stealing lineout ball and holding the scrummage against a bigger side from a higher division.

This article was posted on 2-Mar-2011, 17:21 by Lindsay Kerr.



 
      

This article was posted on 3-Mar-2011, 10:50 by Hugh Barrow.