"Duel in the sun"
 
Pitch No.1 at Burnbrae in Milngavie was the venue due to the start of the cricket season and our thanks go to West for facilitating this. Highland were the visitors and they, like Accies, like to move the ball around especially with their Fijian Royal Scots Guards in the ranks, so, with the sun shining, the scene was set for a "Duel in the Sun".
 
Nine tries later, a cracker had been witnessed.
 
Accies started with intent and had all the early pressure, really pummelling Highland back to their try line with a series of rucks, probing runs and last ditch Highland tackles keeping their line intact. In fact, three or four chances were spurned and this scribe was concerned when a spilled Accie pass was picked up in the Highland 22m zone, two passes and 70m later Highland had opened the scoring with a converted try.
 
0 - 7
 
As if insulted, Accies surged back and spent the next 5 minutes camped on Highland's 5m line, being repelled left, right and centre. Eventually the pressure told and Andy Jackson found the gap to dive over, converted by Ali McLaren.
 
7 - 7
 
Having gotten the taste, Accies surged straight back for more and after 6 or 7 phases of play the ball was spun wide and Ali McLaren dove over in the corner for an unconverted try.
 
12 - 7
 
Highland didn't spend 4 hours on the A9 just to lie down though and roared back up to Accies 5m line and with the Accies scrum creaking against a much bigger pack, Accies were lucky the come away with zero points scored. Play switched back down the field and Accies declined, what this scribe thought were two "very gettable" penalties in going for the try before half time. Fortunately, third time lucky, they took the kick and it was nicely stroked over from distance by Ali McLaren to lead 15 - 7 at Half Time.
 
The half time breather was priceless for Highland as they surged back into the second half and Accies were living by the skin of their teeth with a Highland try disallowed for a forward pass. Accies retorted with some great play finished off by Mike Hermes for Accies third try, converted by Ali McLaren.
 
22 - 7
 
Hungry for the fourth try bonus, Accies turned over Highland ball and Mike Hermes just missed out on his second try. However, the bonus wasn't long in coming... Robert Beattie delivered. Turnover ball in Accies half was zipped through the hands out wide, ground made, and Robert had 20m and a man to beat, cue the kick over the top and the race to the ball was won, converted by Ali McLaren.
 
29 - 7
 
Highland struck back via an Accies fumbled pass, spun wide and scored a converted try.
 
29 - 14
 
Accies struck back, Andy Jackson made a terrific break, ball through the hands and Kenneth Beattie, supporting like his dad and uncle have probably told him to do.., found the pass and bounced over the line for a terrific score converted by Ali McLaren.
 
34 - 14
 
With 8 minutes to go, Highland threw their all at Accies and struck back with a third try as Accies defence simply ran out of numbers after about 9 phases of play. 
 
34 - 21
 
Unfortunately for Highland, the heat had taken it's toll on their pack and in the final minutes Accies still had the legs for a final score. Replacement, Andrew Brown, scorched in from 20m out, burning the grass on the way as he passed the Highland full back on the outside. He's young, he's raw and he's skinny, but when two former professional players, standing next to your scribe, both proclaim "wow, good gas!" then you know he has got gas to burn.
 
Full Time: 39 - 21
 
Overall, a good game with neither really on top until the second half, and Highland should take credit for how they played, but Accies were just that bit fresher in the second half and were able to finish off their chances in the second half.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This article was posted on 30-Apr-2011, 21:08 by Hugh Barrow.