On a really miserable day for rugby with the rain pouring down and the wind blowing into the stand the game against Peebles started. It was clear from the early on that this was not going to be a great spectacle for the true supporters that had ventured out on this wintery December afternoon. Both sides were finding the conditions difficult to deal with cold hands and a tricky wind it was inevitable that the ball would be dropped and passes missed.
However, and perhaps the most influential event in the game came after 15 minutes when Ross Cowan, playing a really pivotal role at 10, damaged his wrist in a tackle and had to be replaced, a severe blow to the fluidity of the game. Accies had made a reasonably positive start but it was Peebles who put together the best passage of play so far in the game with some good close quarter passes. They worked their way deep inside Accies territory and forced a scrum 10 metres out from the line. A missed tackle allowed their scrum half to score from the scrum. This was also not a day for the kickers and the conversion was missed. 0 – 5
The game could not get going as players from both sides were finding the conditions really difficult. However Accies seemed to be more affected by this and the rhythm of their game seemed to go, and they could not build a platform and their game plan disappeared . It was this apparent lack of focus that allowed Peebles to maintain their pressure inside Accies half and Peebles capitalised from another two missed tackles which saw them race home for another try this time close to the posts so an easy conversion. 0 – 12.
Accies forwards pulled things together and from some good close quarter forward carries worked themselves deep into Peebles territory. To their credit they kept the pressure on and when the opportunity arose Kenneth Beattie was on hand to score a good forwards try close to the Peebles posts. Conversion by Gregor Macewan was successful. 7 – 12
Accies were clearly buoyed by this and were quickly back inside Peebles territory and a resulting penalty was converted to pull Accies very close to their opponents. 10 - 12
The second half was drawing to a close and the Peebles stand-off saw a gap behind our left winger and put a well-judged kick inside the 22. The only problem was that the Peebles winger was approximately 5 metres in front of his stand off but unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your point of view, the referee did not notice it and the winger collected the ball and ran under the posts to score. A severe blow just before half time. 10 – 19
Half – time 10 – 19
The second half was, if anything, an even poorer 40 minutes. It is really difficult to play the type of rugby that Accies are working hard to perfect when you are wet, your hands are cold and the game has become totally disjointed.
It was another mistake that allowed Peebles to work themselves into Accies 22 and from some more hard caring from their forwards they crossed again for their bonus point try, which was not converted. 24 – 10
However it was Accies who reacted best to this try and after a couple of penalties they were camped close to their opponent’s line. Once again good work from the forwards saw the pack putting real pressure on the Peebles line with some aggressive ‘pick and goes’ and after several close calls the referee decided that Peebles had infringed at the ruck and a penalty was awarded. As the players regrouped Kenneth Beattie, now the captain after Chris Johnston was replaced after damaging his ankle, took charge and a quick tap saw him barge over for his second try. Conversion good and Accies were within 7 points. 17 – 24
It has to be said that Accies did not look like scoring again and as Peebles finished the game stronger Accies were defending with their usual great spirit. In the dying moments and with the game won Peebles were awarded a penalty from just outside the 22 and slightly to the left of the posts. They decided to go for the points which would have deprived Accies of a valuable losing bonus point. All of Accies supporters were holding their breath as the kick slid past the left hand upright – phew.
A disappointing game in atrocious conditions but at least the losing bonus point had been secured.
Full time 17 – 24
Accies have had a very tough first half of the season and been forced to play a different 15 every week so far this year and this is a real problem for coaches and players to organise themselves around their game plan. This Saturday is the last game of 2019 and the players will have a break over Christmas so let’s hope that we can see some players returning from injury and get a real charge at the last 9 games of the season.
