Our first full pre season fixture of the season took us to the splendid surroundings of Fort Matilda, where the new clubhouse and its facilities are now matched by a first fifteen pitch of great quality – a surface made for the type of running rugby that both teams aspired to play throughout what was to be a much more entertaining game than that served up at Murrayfield later the same day. As usual, Greenock proved friendly and hospitable hosts off the park

Straight from the off GHK spread the ball wide keeping the ball in hand and looking to offload and support the ball carrier. Greenock, who were missing a number of their front five forwards, which was to prove crucial as the match developed, were also showing a willingness to run it. Surprising then that it should take 13 minutes for the first score, when the pacy Greenock winger picked up in loose play and ran through from 40 metres out for a good try, with the conversion narrowly missed.

GHK continued to probe with strong runs from Gregor Hollerin, Jamie Fleming and captain for the day Mike Borthwick amongst others. One good touch find from Andy Fleming led to a five metre lineout but the throw was lost.

After 20 minutes or so the first of the day’s many rolling subs was made with Mike Aird coming on at scrum half and Danny Campbell moving to the wing to replace the unfortunate Declan Macdonald who suffered a knee injury which may keep him out of action for a while.. All those who came on at later stages in the game made positive contributions, including Gerry ‘Hitman’ Hawkes and Cammy ‘avoid the hit, man!’ Little, the latter playing in one of his last games as a free man. Gerry’s abrasive defence and strong running with ball in hand make him an ideal impact player and Cammy’s astute kicking provided a nice variation when required.

To prove that GHK don’t always need to throw the ball wide to score on 28 minutes the forwards took it on themselves to gain a push over try from a five metre scrum, a feat they were to repeat later in the match, demonstrating the upper hand they maintained for most of the match against their Premier 3 opponents. No 8 Alan Tiltson showed good control to dot down. Conversion missed.

Throughout the game GHK demonstrated real commitment in defence and their next score came directly from pressure put on Greenock defenders by Rory Love and Tiltson led to the latter claiming his second try with a flop over from a metre - 2 tries - three metres. Great economy of effort!

From a similar position to the first attempt Fleming was successful with the kick.
Despite some concerted Greenock attacks prior to half time the GHK defence held firm with the score remaining 12-5 to GHK at the break.

GHK were straight back on the attack from the kick off with good linking play between Borthwick and Love with the captain being held up just short.

From another five metre scrum GHK controlled the push with Mikey B, now at No 8, dotting down. 17-5.
Amongst the highlights of the remainder of the game were three kicks – two of them from front row forwards. Be careful, guys, membership of the front row union could be in jeopardy! One was an attacking kick through from Cammy McLay another a good clearance kick from Adam Johnstone - both much better than a later effort from Scotland’s number 8 – and the third a neat grubber after a fine break from Jamie Fleming.

Tony Herron had been having a quiet game until a loose clearance kick from Greenock was passed inside to him just outside the GHK 22, Tony doing what he does best by accelerating through gaps and past despairing tackles to touch down under the posts for the final score of the game. 24-7

GHK can take great heart from another fine all round performance to which all players made a meaningful contribution – spirited in defence and creative in attack - but there will be sterner tests to come in the next few weeks, particularly up front.


GHK Team
15 T Herron 14 R Love 13 A McLay 12 J Fleming 11 D MacDonald 10 A Fleming 9 D Campbell 1 O McInroy 2 A Johnstone 3 C McLay 4 A Drummond 5 F Hastie 6 G Hollerin 7 M Borthwick 8 A Tiltson


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This article was posted on 8-Aug-2011, 22:30 by Ronnie Gourley.

This article was posted on 9-Aug-2011, 11:23 by Hugh Barrow.