“Newton Stewart get their just rewards…”
 
On a bright, sunny but cool day Newton Stewart were the visitors to New Anniesland and despite over a two hour journey they promptly flew out of the blocks at Accies. Indeed Accies survived an early scare as NS missed a relatively easy penalty kick after only 3 mins. They didn’t have long to wait as 6 minutes later they took the lead with a penalty to lead 0 – 3.
(A somewhat controversial decision preceded the kick, Accies No.6 – Mike Walker was yellow carded after barely 10 minutes of the game for apparently three offside offences. It seemed a touch on the harsh side as barely 10 minutes had passed and later in the game Newton Stewart were to commit similar levels of offence but did not receive the same sanction. However the referee is the sole judge of fact and law and we respect that.)
 
NS took full advantage of the extra man and continued to drive forward at Accies at will, sometimes through their own endeavour, sometimes through loose kicking from Accies (a disappointingly recurring theme of the day) which merely invited the next wave. Indeed, NS extended their lead on 19 minutes with excellent driving play down the left hand side and good support running which saw Accies run out of defenders and NS’s stand off took the pass and ran over from 10 m out for the converted try. 0 – 10
Indeed Accies were lucky not to be a further try behind as NS’s next wave resulted in a good kick ahead into the Accie goal area with three NS players bearing down. Referee Stark deemed an Accie hand had got the crucial touchdown and gave the resultant 22m drop out. Your scribe saw it the other way and was grateful that the referee was 20m away and at the wrong angle to see the crucial touch.  
 
Accies finally came to life and put together an all out assault on NS, sweeping moves up the right, across to the left and back to the right stretching NSs’ defence which held – just… but the pressure told and finally Stephen O’Donnell opened the scoring with a penalty after 35 minutes. 3 – 10 – Half time
 
The second half started as it had finished with Accies edging their way on top and 5 minutes in, a superb half break from a ruck on the halfway line saw Ben Semple pin his ears back, then deliver the shimmy to round Newton Stewarts full back to score a sensational 50m try. 8 – 10
 
The 2nd half continued with Accies getting more on top, as NSs’ big pack began to tire a shade, but frustratingly making no great impression as for some reason they chose to kick, aimlessly, away 60%+ of their possession. As such it took 20 minutes for Accies to string it together and strike for the lead with a second terrific try which was all power and pace in the right areas of the pitch. A scrum on the NS 10m line saw the pick and go and Accies drove for the 22m line to the right of the posts, quick ruck ball was spun left and Elliot McLaren popped up to take the pass, shimmy on the outside and pop the pass the Stephen Fyfe who popped to Andrew Brown on the wing to score in the corner, well converted from wide out by Stephen O’Donnell. 15 – 10
 
As noted earlier, whilst Accies were slightly on top, it was by no means conclusive and as they were only a try score behind there was still the opportunity for NS to get the victory with 15 minutes to go. Sadly it proved to be correct as with their only real incisive move of the second half NS spun lineout out ball, on Accies 10m line, down the backline and their pacy full back came crashing straight through the centres and struck for the line. The try was converted and NS were in the lead with 6 mins remaining. 15 – 17
Accies had one last chance in the closing minutes, a penalty kick from distance which drifted short and wide and the game was lost. Full Time: 15 – 17
 
Overall NS deserved their just rewards, their recent results had been improving and in the first half they were all power and pace and fully deserved their half time lead. As always with a big pack they tired a little as the game went on but were still in the hunt with 10 minutes to go and they showed the guts and desire to summon the energy to score the winning try and close out the game as the victors. For Accies, there will be some head scratching going on as, following an excellent away win at Stewartry last week, why it took 20 minutes to get into the game, why they kicked away 60%+ of their hard earned possession inviting the opposition to run at them and why they chose to get into a wrestling match with a big heavy pack when the obvious solution was to move the ball a touch wider, retain possession at all costs and run the legs off them.

This article was posted on 13-Nov-2011, 13:35 by Hugh Barrow.