Glasgow Accies 38 Stewartry 8
Saturday 2nd April 2011
New Anniesland
‘ Accies Sparkle in the Evening Sun’
 
It took Accies until the final quarter to pull the cork out and play some champagne rugby. In the 46th and 49th minutes Accies scored tries to ease them away from a half time score that was dangerously close at 5-3 to a more comfortable 19-3. Thereafter the 4 try bonus point looked some way ahead however in the final 5 minutes of the game Accies played as they had threatened to do all game and scored 3 more good tries to give them a slightly flattering margin of 38-8 at the end. Throughout, a stuffy and competitive Stewartry side continued to look dangerous, especially on the breakaways, right to the end. The decisive factor being the power and pace of the Accies back division. This was not the turbo charged performance of last week’s game against Berwick but nevertheless it was a highly entertaining game played in excellent but breezy conditions.
There was very little to write about in the first half as the two sides played at a frantic pace resulting in numerous handling errors and turnovers. Accies looked dangerous at times especially with darting runs down the wings by both wingers. Stewartry were very quick to latch onto any errors and turn them to their advantage. Their backs and forwards stretched the Accies defence to the limit but it held out throughout the game with some crunching tackles from Stewart Smith and the back row forwards.
It all looked so good early on when a quick ball from a ruck flowed through the hands to Mike Hermes. The winger still had a lot to do with the half chance but fended off his opposite number to score in the right hand corner. 6 minutes played and Accies were 5-0 in the lead.
From then on some silly mistakes and over anxiety gave Stewartry the chance to attack. Although they got close to the line at times they could not score a try and their only reward was a 23rd minute penalty. The only other point of real note in the half was a magnificent cover tackle in the centre of the field by left winger Tom Cullen that saved a certain score. Half Time Accies 5 Stewartry 3
Young Robert Beattie, the Academy scrum half, came on midway through the first half to replace the unfortunate Jamie Williamson who was injured. He played in the centre and fitted into the side like a kid glove impressing with his tackling and powerful running reminiscent of his big cousin Jonnie at the same age. Hopefully he will join Accies next season.
Accies started the second half much more brightly. In the 46th minute Robert Beattie made a neat break through the centre and sent Tom Cullen on a scuttling run.  Ali McLaren converted 12-3. This was followed 3 minutes later by another. Quick ball from a scrum by Ali McLaren to stand off Stewart Smith set the backs running but with them all in place Stewart fired a huge pass to Mike Hermes who had space and he finished the move with a try in the corner. Ali McLaren converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline. 19-3
Down but certainly not out Stewartry struck straight back and scored an excellent try in the left hand corner after running the ball across their back line until the left winger had space to sprint over.
The next 20 minutes were fairly scrappy and frantic as both sides tried to get the upper hand. Then with 5 minutes remaining it happened. Accies were awarded a 5 metre scrum and held the ball in the back row for a few seconds. When they were ready No.8 Graeme Simpson flipped the ball through his legs to Ali McLaren who was standing back from the scrum. With the extra space he simply ghosted through to the line for a clever try. Stephen O’Donnell converted for 26-8.
2 minutes later Accies returned to the attack and good ball from the ruck to Stephen O’Donnell and on to Stewart Smith who with an outrageous dummy crashed over for the 5th try.
Accies still had time for one more try. Another good break by Robert Beattie created space on the right and he found Tom Cullen who had come over from the opposite wing with space to score right in the corner. Another prodigious kick from Ali McLaren found its mark and the game ended at 38-8
Accies always seem to find form at the end of each season and if only they had struck this vein earlier they might have been pushing for promotion. For the last two weeks they have had a settled side with key players available. Earlier there were just too many injuries and players away for one reason or another to get any real consistency.
Accies have a week off this Saturday before returning on the 16th for the trip to play Aberdeenshire
 

This article was posted on 7-Apr-2011, 16:25 by Hugh Barrow.