Edinburgh Accies 19-29 Glasgow Hawks

Where do you start?  For 48 hours preceding this extraordinary result it seemed unlikely there would be enough forwards fit  to play. In the end there wasn't- but you can rely on tough backs and a bit of GHK help to fight the cause!!
Not only did the pack have  several guys playing out of position  but preceded to lose capt Kenny to 1stXV 5mins before k.o.    20mins in and all our troubles were there to be seen, EA up 12-0, their pack bossing set-piece and a very confident air about them.  Ref seemed to struggle with the high tempo that Hawks had to play at to survive. Not allowing quick throw ins and always bringing play back rather than play advantage.
It took time but we started playing off the cuff, as planned, and with an unbelievable work rate thru'  the pack . EA kicked out of defence, Stu Low gathered on own 10m , linked with Tails, took the return, put Gav in space and Johnny Potter finished in corner. Bit of belief started. HT 5-12.
Intro of the sprightly  Ian(Oki) Noble gave the game a different feel, EA struggled with his unconventional approach. Robert Wilson made one of many breaks, this from quick ruck ball, great off-load to Oki  and Johnny P drove thru' last tackles for score under posts. 12-12 after Oki's conversion.  EA still battering away with scrum and line-out put huge pressure on defence, but heroic forward effort prevented any drive breaching our line.  Incredible work rate from Hoggy and co, kept them out.  But with no possession for 15mins inevitable that EA would eventually score, stretched defence on our right after strong scrum. 12-19 after 55mins.
Then the fun really began!! Gradually winning quick ball,  Oki created space for RobW, good break and pass beat 2 defenders, Tailsie broke infield and deft wee pass inside gave Sean M reward for support line from opposite wing. Oki conv 19-19 , 15mins to go.
Next attack from scrum on own 22m, Oki took on midfield, offload to Robert , quick hands thru' JohnnyP to Tailsie right on touchline. Superb chip ahead , opp man trying to hold him back as he sprinted onto bounce and left defence trailing. 24-19, 4mins left.
Contact areas had been a struggle for ref all game and with EA shouting for a penalty, Brecko made great turn-over ball and offload to Davide , who brilliantly kicked thru' for Johnny P to complete hat-trick by scooping ball up and diving over line. 29-19.
Back line had played with great skill and pace, which proved the difference on the scoreboard, but  huge heroic performances   in the forwards.  Astonishing ground coverage  and supreme line-out work from Hoggy gave Hawks far more ball than was expected. The belligerence and physicality of Gareth and Johnny Peyton wrecked the the unity of EA's forwards. Couple this with the doggedness and work rate of our debutants JohnM  and PeteR gave us a platform the backs fully exploited. Last word to the brilliant attitude and  performance  of our new flankers- in adversity centres  Gav McD and Chris Breck took one for the team, played in  an alien position and did it so well EA were oblivious!!  Great effort all involved, incredible spirit and self-belief. Bodes well for season!

This article was posted on 5-Sep-2011, 20:33 by Hugh Barrow.