Accies new scribe Stevie Winter on the case

“Accies gain encouragement despite loss in warm up game”
 
Despite losing their final official warm up game ahead for the season opener in two weeks Accies can take a lot of encouragement from an entertaining and close fought warm up game against Cartha Queens Park (currently in Prem 3) at Dumbreck.
 
On a glorious summer day Accies burst out of the blocks putting together a series of plays straight from the kick off and were rewarded with the first try after three minutes as, following the 6th phase of play, the ball was spun wide and Dougie Horne sped up the wing to score in the corner converted by Stephen O’Donnell.
 
Cartha struck back immediately, with Accies unable to clear their lines Cartha took a 5m lineout and rumbled over to level the scores at 7 all.
 
Cartha got their second score after 25 minutes as they gradually cranked up the pressure, and while Accies defence was excellent eventually the line was breached for Cartha to edge ahead 14 – 7.
Cartha scored again 5 minutes later as again they cranked up the pressure on Accies, Accies were slightly harshly done for as Mike Walker – twin brother of Jack is sin binned in the process of the score developing. 19 – 7 to Cartha.
 
It looked as thought the dam might have burst as Cartha scored twice in succession, firstly, poor execution at an Accies lineout gave Cartha the chance to drive for the line and after some stout defence they eventually dove over to stretch to 24 – 7 and as Accies were responding with an exciting backline move on Cartha’s 10m line the ball broke loose and the speedy Cartha winger hacked ahead and won the race for the line to make it 29 – 7.
 
However, Accies were not for lying down and were to have the last say of the first half as they struck back with a well taken try from Andy Jackson in typical all action style to reduce the half time deficit to 29 – 14.
 
The second half was a very encouraging one from Accies’ perspective as they went toe – to – toe with Cartha through the whole second half and finished 14 – 7 up for the second half scoring.
Jamie Doig made his much awaited return to action in the centre and he wasted no time making sure the Cartha backline knew he was around as he smashed his way through the Cartha centres to score a well deserved try converted by Stephen O’Donnell to close the gap to 29 – 21.
Cartha struck back and scored their final try following a well worked backline move, 36 -21 but the final score was reserved for Captain Stu Smith who, as the game developed, was finding more and more gaps in the Cartha back line and finally got his reward with a terrific try with 10 minutes to go again converted by Stephen O’Donnell to close the scoring at Cartha 36 – Accies 28.
 
From this scribes viewpoint there were some extremely encouraging aspects to the game as Accies really stepped up to the Premiership 3 Cartha team – who are a good, solid, well drilled side. As always in warm up games some of the technical aspects of Accies play need to be worked on, in particular the lineout, but the scrum was very impressive as they took three against the head in the second half with Matteo Giovanazzi returning to the hooker spot and the counter-rucking and overall defence was also good.

This article was originally posted on 21-Aug-2011, 12:12 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 21-Aug-2011, 13:45.