Overall Hawks players and coaches will probably be quite pleased with this result against a tough, organised and talented side from Premier 2. Hawks have now won three games in a row and this must surely add to their confidence as they go into a period of cup rugby before the League resumes on 14th January when Hamilton are the visitors to Old Anniesland.
Hawks started aggressively in the bitter cold conditions and within 15 minutes were 12-0 up thanks to two tries from big winger Tom Steven. The first from a well worked move down the left touchline the second, more fortuitous, from a ricochet off the Biggar full back's leg that left Tom with a simple touchdown. Mikey Martin converted the first with an excellent kick in the tricky conditions. It was all Hawks at this stage but they could not press home the territorial advantage.
It is amazing how one poor refereeing decision can upset a team. Against the run of play Biggar broke out down the left touchline and scored from a distance despite all Hawks supporters and players hollering for a forward pass. The try was converted 12-7 and suddenly Biggar had their tails up and their continuity play and phases started to look ominous. Hawks held them out till half time.
Hawks started the second half in the same belligerent style despite playing into a stiff breeze. One wayward kick from Biggar was gathered by Tom Steven and he simply tore through the centre of the field with Hawks players scattering to get out of his way. However the referee saw it differently and awarded Biggar a penalty for crossing. Biggar took full advantage of this and surged down the right touchline for a try in the corner to square the score at 12-12.
Hawks fought back and a good move involving forwards and backs allowed Andrea Barbieri to draw his man and put Tom Steven in at the left corner for his hatrick. 17-12.
The game surged backward and forwards until Hawks put in a sustained period of pressure close to their opponents line before driving over for a forwards try converted by Mikey Martin. 24-12.
With ten minutes remaining the game was still not secure and Biggar used the wind intelligently to keep Hawks pinned in their own 22. Despite some courageous defence the dam eventually burst and Biggar scored a well worked try down the right side. A terrific conversion from near touch brought the score uncomfortably close at 24-19 with a good five minutes of play remaining. Hawks did just enough to hold out for victory.
This was a fairly young and inexperienced Hawks side not helped by losing Bart Karalus early in the first half to a shoulder injury, Hamish King stepped into the breach for his first appearance and acquitted himself well. Louis Kinsey made his first 1st XV start and formed a useful boilerhouse partnership with Rory McKay. With Ross Miller, Kerr Gossman, and Grant Strang in Dubai and Eric Milligan, Nick Campbell, Stephen Leckie, Rory Hamilton and Sean Murray all unavailable, together with the other long term injured players this was a reasonable performance.
Next Saturday Hawks are away to Ardrossan Accies in the cup and will need to step up another gear for that one.

This article was posted on 3-Dec-2011, 22:31 by Hugh Barrow.