GHK V Cartha Queens Park Friday 12 August Match Report

GHK v Cartha Queens Park Friday 12 August Match Report

Firstly, thanks to our groundsman and Ground Convenor for allowing the game to go on after three days of torrential rain, the good news being that the ‘big pitch’ at OA held up very well with no signs of wear or tear after the game.

Unfortunately for GHK, the good news didn’t go much further on the night with an indication right from the start, with the GHK kick off going straight to touch, that this wasn’t going to be up to the usual high standard of GHK performance. From the resultant scrum, Cartha attacked strongly and were rewarded with the first of many penalties at the break down which they elected to kick to the corner. GHK’s defence was initially strong, as it was for most of the game, managing to hold the Cartha drive up but from the resulting scrum Cartha showed their collective strength up front by driving over for the first try. 0-5.

Cartha’s second try came from another 5 metre scrum, awarded after a kick ahead from Cartha seemed to be touched down by a GHK player. This time the ball was moved to the midfield where a gap was found by the strong running Cartha backs, with the only succe3ssful conversion of the game being added. 0-12.

Midway through the first half GHK introduced the first two of their many replacements with the first appearances of the season for Hugh Parker and Gordi Reid; D’arcy having finished milking the cows and Gordi finished milking his injury! Seriously, it was good to see Gordi back in action and playing in his usual rumbustious manner after his lengthy injury lay off. Danny Hoffman and Joe Awuse were amongst other replacements haiving their first run out of the season.

There was no immediate upturn in GHK’s fortunes as Cartha’s forwards drove over from a line out. 0-17

There were a few sporadic attacks from individual GHK players towards the end of the first half but support never seemed to arrive quickly enough or wrong options were taken. Half time GHK 0 Cartha QP 17.

GHK put in a better second half performance with good individual breaks from, amongst others, Gerry Hawkes, Tony Herron and Joe Awuse. Pressure on the Cartha defence led by Joe resulted in a try by D’Arcy, again popping up where you least expect to find a second row forward.

Having begun to work their back into the game GHK immediately gave the advantage back to Cartha by conceding a penalty straight from kick off, leading to a scrum close to the GHK line from which initial defence was again good only for the scrum half to find a gap to make it GHK 5 Cartha 22.

More strong running from Joe got him to within a whisker of the Cartha line and this time support was on hand from Mikey Borthwick to go over for the score. 10-22. GHK briefly threatened after this but were guilty of backing off tackles to allow Cartha in for the final score of the evening. 10-27.

This was an unusually flat performance from GHK, with a higher number of errors than usual due, at least partly, to the strength, speed and eagerness of the Cartha team, particularly up front. A timely reminder of the hard work ahead to compete at this level, a couple of divisions above GHK – Cartha being another Premier 3 side.

Clearly, both teams and coaches found it a worthwhile exercise as they agreed to an immediate return fixture at Cartha’s Dumbreck ground on Tuesday 16 August with a 7.30pm kick off. All support, as always, very welcome.

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

VP
This article was originally posted on 16-Aug-2011, 00:22 by Ronnie Gourley.
Last updated by Ronnie Gourley on 16-Aug-2011, 00:29.

This article was posted on 16-Aug-2011, 07:33 by Hugh Barrow.