Glasgow Accies RFC  v Annan RFC
Accies win 10-3
This was always going to be a “hard day at the office”. Accies arrived at Violetbank, home of Annan RFC, just an hour or so after the torrential rain that had swept the area from the night before had stopped. The pitch was therefore  very wet and heavy.  However the sun was now out and despite the fact that Accies were missing their captain, vice captain and coach (hip operation!) and 4 other players from last week’s team the boys were in good heart and ready for the fray!
Our last visit here resulted in a 24-13 defeat so many of the players were well aware of what lay ahead. Annan are always ready for the “city boys” and are up for the battle. So it proved. Accies captain for the day Jamie Doig won the toss and decided to take the hill and the wind in the first half. From the KO Accies showed their intention to move the ball about and looked sharp and quick. With just 5 minutes gone Harry Walker made a superb break and was unfortunate not to get the inside pass to the supporting Cameron McCall for what would without doubt have been one of the best tries of the season. McCall is epitomising the positive attitude that the new players are bringing to Accies.
The Annan forwards were working hard and denying Accies a lot of good possession which was starting to frustrate some players. However Accies stuck to their task and some good work by backs and forwards took play into the Annan half. Accies we awarded a penalty 10 metres inside the Annan half and Ali Mclaren fancied his chances, unfortunately he was just wide (NOT SHORT). 4 minutes later Accies pressure at the breakdown again resulted in a penalty this time Ali McLaren slotted the kick, putting Accies 3.0 up with 15 minutes of the first half to play.
This seemed to really invigorate Accies and they produced a period of fast flowing rugby which stretched the Annan defence time and again. As expected they Annan tackled everything Accies could throw at them until and good piece of recycling released the backs with some space and the ball arrived in the hands of Jamie Doig, who had been threatening all half. Jamie moved to his right and drew three defenders, Mike Hermes seeing his chance swiftly cut inside and a neat pass launched Mike on a superb run of 30 metres to the line. Converted by Ali McLaren, 10.3 and half time.
The second half was always going to be a tough ask. Their captain and stand off knows his ground well and has an educated boot on him. He kept Accies in their half early on. However our lineout jumpers, in the shape of Kenneth Beattie and the Walker brothers started to disrupt their lineout’s and this to a great extent made the Annan play makers change their tactics and kick into the open spaces, Stewart Seaton, now playing at full back in place of the injured Craig Wright, showed what a complete footballer he is and fielded everything that was thrown at him. Annan now tried to attack with ball in hand. Accies were always comfortable defending this form of attack. Annan forwards did get some reward for a strong forward performance with a penalty mid way through the half 10-3.
Accies defence was superb throughout the game and even when Annan were gifted an interception on halfway they could not convert it and Accies secured the possession. Annan were very seldom in Accies 22.
Accies controlled the game and although they missed some 2 on 1 opportunities they produced a solid performance and Stu Seaton deservedly won man of the match for his complete performance.
Accies coaching staff must be pleased that they won a game with 6 first choice players missing, showing what depth they have at the club, but a major thanks has to go to Mr and Mrs Walker, for their three sons all produced outstanding performances and were a major influence on the result. The first time all three brothers have played together in the same game, thanks.
Next up is Irvine at home. Irvine are sitting second top so will be a real handful. The boys will need all the support available and do appreciate it.

This article was posted on 25-Sep-2011, 18:25 by Hugh Barrow.