“Old rivalries re-ignited…”
 
This historic fixture returned to the league programme some 16 years after the last league encounter between the sides prior to the formation of Glasgow Hawks. Your scribe has fond memories of it having played in a number of these fixtures.
Doubly heartening for your scribe was the sight of Gerry Hawkes (a former foe, then firm friend at Hawks), who played in those games 16 years ago (albeit as a flying winger) trotting out in the back row for GHK and providing the “old head” for GHK’s young guns. Not as quick as of old but a steadying hand on the tiller for the GHK side and a bridge to days past.
 
Perhaps, it was the hype, perhaps a re-shuffle of Accies team at late notice, perhaps it was the steadying hand of Gerry Hawkes to give GHK the composure to play well and by default Accies looked anxious, stood off and played with a lack of composure in the first half.
As you would expect the opening 5 minutes were all about “testing each other out” in the scrum and the midfield as the tackles flew in. GHK were the first to strike with a classic 8-9-14 back row move that sent their flying right wing Rory Love in for the opening try. 0 – 5 to GHK
 
The game, continuing at a high pace, see sawed for the next 20 minutes and this scribe felt Accies were gaining control territorially and up front, (GHK’s back’s were much livelier and sharper, particularly their Full back – Tony Herron, who’s intrusions into the back line were electric, and worrying from an Accies perspective) but the composure wasn’t quite there for Accies to finish the opportunities, and right on cue as an Accies drive broke down GHK burst up the field and their stand off Andy Fleming strode through for the classic “sucker punch” try to stretch their lead to 0-10.
 
GHK extended their lead with 5 minutes to half time, a pacy break down the right through their centres looked to have ended with the tackle and the ball breaking loose, it was hacked on and their flanker Neil Keltie suddenly found himself flopping on the ball for the try. The try reminded this scribe of a certain try by Chas Afakuwah against Boroughmuir in the Cup for Hawks i.e. he was miles in front of the kicker, and offside, but the referee is the sole judge of fact, we all accept that, and the try was awarded and converted. 0-17
(Disclaimer: if this scribe is wrong on this try then he blames his viewpoint in the stand.)
 
Accies Coach – Ewan Smith rallied the troops during the half time talk and it was a different Accies side that took the game to GHK, brighter, sharper, putting pressure on GHK all over the park and an early Mike Hermes blast down the wing was repelled by a last ditch tackle, but Accies weren’t to be denied. The pack re-grouped at the lineout and after four attempts bulldozed their way over. The scorer is at present unknown, I’m sure he’ll make himself known later on in the bar! Stephen O’Donnell, fresh on the park knocked it over from the touchline. 7-17
 
GHK weren’t for lying down though and came blasting back and the contest was in full flow, but Accies had cranked it up a notch and a penalty kick from Stephen O’Donnell just faded past the post and GHK breathed a short sigh of relief… until a minute later when the Accies scrum gave the GHK scrum an old fashioned shunt, about 5 metres worth… the pressure moved onwards and, to their credit GHK held out on their own line, just. Potentially and probably a pivotal moment as the game developed a real cut and thrust element as both teams went for it and as they say fortune favours the brave…
A GHK defensive scrum on their 22m line was kicked crossfield, the bounce was a wicked one for Mike Hermes and the GHK flying left wing Scott Eaddie caught it mid stride perfectly and evaded two tackles to score under the posts to stretch their lead and clinch the game at 7 – 24.
 
The game was won as time was not on Accies side but they still went back for more and got their reward as Fabio Marchetti powered over from close range after a succession of scrums and rucks at close quarters converted by Stephen O’Donnell. 14 – 24 Full Time
 
Summary: This scribe enjoyed the renewal of the rivalry, you miss the edge, the banter, the bragging rights – it’s good for both teams as it drives them onwards and upwards – and the friendly faces that came across for the game. Accies had the muscle and latterly the sharpness, GHK were sharper and more composed early on and that was enough to see them over the line.

This article was posted on 17-Sep-2011, 19:55 by Hugh Barrow.