Another tough encounter against a very strong Preston Lodge side saw GHK's promising start and half time 13 - 8 lead ultimately overturned, ending in a 16 - 30 win for the visitors.

The game had been transferred to Balgray and on an excellent playing surface and in ideal sunny conditions GHK were going to have to look lively and take their chances as a series of PL kicks to the corners in the early stages set up good position for their lineout drives and dominant scrummage. PL threatened but GHK repelled several drives and when GHK stole a PL lineout the ball was cleared to half way. Short respite however as PL were quickly back in GHK's 22. A loose PL grubber went dead and GHK saw their chance. Flem made a lovely break from a quickly taken 22 and fed Joe Sergeant - Awuse who continued the break out,feeding inside to the every present Mikey Borthwick who took it on in to the PL 22. Unfortunately the attack broke down and the ball went loose;Pl managed to get back to touch the ball down. GHK won the 5 m scrum and the backs showed how dangerous they can be, with good hands and looping players creating the overlap but the scoring chance was spurned. PL took the resultant scrum and cleared the danger.
In 12 mins a good GHK lineout was driven resulting in a penalty which Flem kicked to the PL 22 metre line. GHK were awarded another penalty - Flem narrowly missed the kick at goal.
PL continued to kick for field position and GHK responded with some excellent line breaks and support running. The backs looked sharp with good hands and a loop from Danny Hoff on half way sending Rory Taylor racing outside his man,feeding inside to Mikey Borthwick in turn to Danny Campbell to touch down under the posts - but it was not to be. Play was pulled back for foot in touch on the 10 m line. In 18 mins another good move saw the ball moved from loose play and Mikey Borthwick again popped up to draw the last man and put Rory T away. Rory had a lot to do but ran strongly to outpace the cover to score in the corner. Flem landed the difficult conversion from the touchline. 7 - 0.
PL pulled 3 points back with a penalty in 21 mins. 7 - 3. In 25 mins Mike Aird was injured and was to take no further part when he had little option but to bravely take the ball in following a disrupted lineout. Danny C moved to scrum half, Rory Love came on to the wing and Rory T moved to full back.
Flem slotted another penalty on 29 mins, 13 - 3. Immediately from the kick off PL were awarded a penalty which was kicked to the corner and followed with a free kick at the lineout. PL took a quick tap which was held up and PL were penalised. GHK cleared to touch. From the lineout Flem made another great break, Joe S - A was on his right but had defenders on him and Flem turned left, throwing a big pass to Rory L who took the ball at pace but was tackled by the PL cover. From the resultant loose play Flem missed with a drop goal attempt.
PL dropped out long and a series of rucks resulted in Mikey B being yellow carded on 39 mins. Unsurprisingly PL chose to kick to the corner where they secured the lineout and drove over for an unconverted try.

The two contrasting styles produced 13 - 8 to GHK at half time.

PL made the most of the extra man in the pack, scoring twice in the first 10 mins of the second half. PL made breaks through a couple of loose tackles but were stopped short. However PL controlled the recycled ball to drive over, 13 - 13. Another break by PL around the fringe of the scrum in PL's own 22 resulted in loose ball being guddled by GHK at the other end. PL picked up and ran on to score at the posts 13 - 20 in 60 mins.
Mikey B returned to the fray, Alan Tilston came on for Robbie Shedden at no. 8 and Rory McCormack came on at lock for Fergus Leggat.
In 62 mins Flem converted a penalty 16 - 20 but PL replied almost immediately with a straightforward kick in front of the posts 16- 23.
PL's tails were up and their backs became more adventurous. From a quick tap penalty PL moved the ball wide and GHK were saved when the PL winger dropped the ball in the tackle, going over in the corner. GHK were driven back in the scrum and had to scramble to touch down. PL's scrum on 5 metres had GHK under pressure and the PL no 8 picked up and went for the line. Mikey B made the tackle but the ball was popped to the supporting centre who went through for a converted score, 16 - 30.Ferg came back on for Rory McC.
GHK kept running at PL and had several chances but as time wore on the passing became increasingly erratic and it was not to be.
PL had two players yellow carded for killing the ball in the last 5 mins, but by then the game was out of reach.

Final score 16 - 30.

GHK can bounce back with an outing against East Kilbride in the "Shield" next Saturday. There are 5 more league games in the run in - still all to play for !!

This article was posted on 7-Mar-2011, 14:39 by Hugh Barrow.