In The Scosman

Edinburgh Accies head coach Simon Cross had mixed feelings on Saturday evening after seeing his team battle out an entertaining draw with Glasgow Hawks at Raeburn Place.
The former Edinburgh pro player was disappointed on one hand because the visitors had scored a last-gasp converted try to grab a 22-22 draw in the RBS Premier One match.

However, he could not fault his players' efforts and he was very pleased with the way the backline fired. 

His newly promoted team have now competed well against two of last season's top clubs in Ayr and Hawks, but they know it is all about winning and not just being pleasing on the eye.

Accies were leading 22-15 heading into the final minute, but the Hawks forwards managed to get on the front foot and, despite some tenacious tackling from the hosts, Hawks No.?8 Ross Miller bulldozed his way over. 

Scrum-half Peter Jericevich knocked over the easy conversion and the crowd regained their collective breath after a match that had started slowly, but just got better and better.

Cross said: "Obviously it is disappointing not to have held on for the victory, but I cannot fault the effort the guys put in. In the first half we were on top for large spells, but could only take in a 5-3 lead and after the break it really was end to end.

"Maybe we have to learn to play a bit smarter at times and the way Hawks kept going shows that you can never switch off in Premier One. However, in general I am delighted with the way the players are taking my advice on board and I think we have shown that we can compete in this division and will play some attractive stuff."

Certainly Cross has put his own stamp on the Accies team since he took over in the summer of 2010. The pack are abrasive and quick to the breakdown, while all players in the forwards and backs are encouraged to be expansive with the ball in hand.

And, as Cross was keen to point out, backs coaches Jonny Else and Andrew Easson have certainly been working hard with the guys behind the scrum. The likes of exciting young talent Jamie Sole and Sam Atkin fit in well with the more experienced players like Iain Berthinussen, Gavin Douglas and Matt Coupar.
On Saturday released Edinburgh pro Alex Black and Ruairidh Bonner linked up well at No.?9 and 10 too.

The game in Stockbridge started slowly, a good run by second-row Angus Graham and a missed penalty from Bonner the only real moments of note in a stodgy first quarter.

In the 21st minute Accies' second-row Greg Campbell had a barnstorming run up the left wing, going close to scoring a try only to be held up by Miller, and that seemed to spark things into life.

Four minutes later Accies took the lead when Campbell did go over before Jericevich's penalty got Hawks on the scoresheet six minutes before half-time.

Fifteen minutes after the interval Accies, who had a lot of possession after the restart, extended their lead thanks to a converted try by centre Berthinussen. That seemed to waken Hawks up and it was 12-10 in the 61st minute when replacement Kerr Gossman ghosted in under the posts. The men from the west then went ahead with skipper Rory McKay's try and the last 15 minutes were frantic to say the least.

A great score by the impressive Atkin and a touchline conversion by Bonner augmented by a penalty from the latter put the home side 22-15 up before Miller's late try. As well as Atkin, hooker Michael Liness and Campbell were the best players for Accies who are certainly bringing entertainment to the top flight.

Scorers: Edinburgh Accies: Tries: Campbell, Berthinussen, Atkin. Pen: Bonner. Cons: Bonner 2. Glasgow Hawks: Tries: K Gossman, McKay, Miller. Pen: Jericevich. Cons: Jericevich.

Edinburgh Accies: J Sole; M Coupar, G Douglas, I Berthinussen, S Atkin; R Bonner, A Black; D MacLeod, M Liness, C Murray, G Campbell, A Graham, D Teague, T Drennan, R Snape. Subs used: J McSorley.

Glasgow Hawks: C Gossman; T Steven, P Robinson, D Kelbrick, J Wright; M Martin, P Jericevich; P Henderson, E Milligan, C Williamson, D Ferguson, A Kirkland, R McKay, R Miller, R Hamilton. Subs used: K Brown, J McFarlane, L Kinsey, K Hamilton, K Gossman. 

Referee: D Changleng.

This article was originally posted on 5-Sep-2011, 11:37 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 5-Sep-2011, 11:37.