SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY REPORTS

Glasgow Hawks 10 - 13 Currie: Currie edge out Hawks but lose grip on the title

Published Date: 24 April 2011
By David Kelso
at Old Anniesland
Currie brushed away the cobwebs from three weeks of inactivity to come from behind and secure a return to next season's British & Irish Cup.
A driven-over try from No.8 Ross Weston added to the boot points from Hayden Abercrombie gave them a deserved victory. But there was a bittersweet edge to the day as the close score here and the outcome of the Greenyards game put paid to Currie's outside hopes of retaining the Premiership Championship.

Hawks made an assured start with competent handling taking them deep into visitors' territory. Play settled under the Currie posts and after several aborted scrum attempts referee Andy McPherson awarded a penalty struck home by Dean Kelbrick.

Almost immediately, Currie messed up a chance to go ahead. From a five-metre lineout, the ball was moved to centre field where No.10 Matt Scott chipped delicately. He seemed bound to score as he re-gathered, only to knock the ball on.

Hawks continued to look to their backs with a good break by Kelbrick coming to nought when he couldn't find a partner.

However, two minutes later, the first try arrived thanks to the Gossman brothers.

Kerr shot away from halfway to find Craig who showed a clean pair of heels to Tom Brown. Kellman converted from touch to put Hawks 10-0 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Neither side could get on top of the rousing forward battle, but in 26 minutes Hawks were penalised for not releasing and Currie got on the scoreboard with a penalty from Hayden Abercrombie.

By the break Currie were level. Hawks lost the ball at the tail of their scrum and from the lineout drive, Weston touched down and Abercrombie converted.

In the second half, Currie got into their groove, monopolising possession and territory but top-quality Hawks defence meant the only score of the third quarter was a second penalty from Abercrombie.

The visitors' closest thing came when only the bounce of the ball prevented winger Andy Turnbull getting to a finely-threaded through-kick by replacement No.10 Andrew Binikos.

With only three points in it the tension mounted as the game drew to its conclusion. Hawks at the end got into the Currie 22 for their first prolonged spell of the half and came nearest when captain Rory McKay lost control of the ball with the line begging.

Home coach Peter Wright was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "The better team won. We are disappointed at losing out on the B&I Cup but we have made huge progress during the last two seasons."

Scorers: Hawks: Try: C Gossman. Con: Kelbrick. Pen: Kelbrick. Currie: Tries: Weston. Con: Abercrombie. Pens: Abercrombie 2.

Hawks: C Gossman; K Gossman, D Kelbrick, S Murray; P Jericevich, K Hamilton; A Smith, E Milligan, G Strain, R Hamilton, R Miller, R McKay, B Karalus, G Strang.

This article was originally posted on 23-Apr-2011, 21:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 23-Apr-2011, 21:25.