Glasgow Accies RFC v Whitecraigs RFC
Played on 18th January 2020 at West Lodge
Accies secure 4 vital points
Accies took to the field against fellow league strugglers with a much depleted pack. There was no Greg Valentine, Tadhg Power or Jason Currie in the front row and no Greg Connelly or Chris Johnstone in the second row and PJ Rankin, Kenneth Beattie, Stuart Holt or Tommy Spinks in the back row, however the players that were picked put in a really hard shift. With the second-row pairing of Calum Duke and Sean Alton (usual position wing-forward) playing an outstanding role in Accies performance and the makeshift front row of Chris Goodfellow, Pierre-Jean Quiers and Chris Scott must take a great deal of satisfaction from their performance and effort.
Whitecraigs started the stronger and their forwards were producing good ball for their hard running backs. In the early encounters the Whitecraigs pack were controlling the scrums, but as the rejigged Accies 8 settled there was very little between them, although it should be said that Whitecraigs were in control at the lineout and Accies forwards stronger in open play.
From a move inside their half, Whitecraigs outside centre took a superb short pass on an inside run and broke through Accies first line of defence, carrying the ball well inside Accies territory. With their tails up they worked the ball to within metres of Accies line and their pack managed to force the ball over Accies line, close to the posts, for the first try. Unfortunately their kicker was not on form today and missed the conversion. 0 – 5
As we have seen all season Accies went straight back on the attack and there followed a period of sustained Accies pressure which resulted in a relatively simple penalty opportunity for Gregor Macewan from just outside the 22 and to the right of the posts, good contact and Accies were on the scoreboard. 3 – 5
With the game still finely balanced Accies second row pairing started to put together some good carries this was putting Whitecraigs on the defensive and some clever work by Ross Cowan nearly saw Accies add to their total but the final pass went astray and the opportunity had gone. Accies tails were up and it wasn’t long before the pack were once again pounding at the Whitecraigs line and despite some stout defensive work it was only fitting that Calum Duke saw his opportunity and with the support of his fellow forwards forced his way over for Accies first try. Tough conversion was just missed but Accies were now ahead. 8 – 5
Whitecraigs were working really hard to get themselves back into the game but superb defence and real commitment from all 15 players kept them at bay. It was, in fact, Accies who finished the first half the stronger and even had a chance to extend their lead with a penalty. Unfortunately despite a good strike the ball bounced back off the upright. So with Accies pack on top in the loose and Whitecraigs dominating the lineout there was nothing between the sides as the half-time whistle was blown.
Half – time 8 – 5
At the break Whitecraigs introduced their star back, who for those who watched the first encounter, when he scored two tries from distance, is a potent weapon. It took him just 2 minutes to show his class beating his opposite number and getting to within yards of the line, and when his forwards recycled the ball he was once again on hand to barge over. Again the conversion was missed, but was this to be the turning point in the game? 8 -10
Accies regrouped and with an injury to Chris Goodfellow and only a hooker available to come on, the scrums had to go uncontested. This did not seem to have a major bearing on the game as Whitecraigs were dominating the lineout and Accies still making yards with ball in hand.
As so often happens we then had a period of stalemate as neither side seemed to be able to get a grip on the game. Possibly with winning such a rare commodity this season, for both sides, the dropped balls and missed passes were just a sign of desperation and players trying too hard.
However Accies eventually found a route down the left through some good work by the ever alert and nippy scrum half Rob McNaught and a couple of well-timed passes saw Ross Cowan race to the line only to be stopped just short. This clearly encourage the Accies players and again with some good driving and slick passing they worked themselves back into Whitecraigs danger zone. Once again it was Calum Duke, with ball in hand, who crossed the whitewash to score the second try. This time, it was Finlay Neilson, having taken over the kicking duties, in the absence of Gregor Macewan, who slotted the ball between the posts from 15 metres to the left. 15 – 10
Whitecraigs now threw everything at Accies and their Club President, Craig Percival, playing in the front row, leading the way with some storming carries, but Accies makeshift pack worked tirelessly to hold back the tide. Whitecraigs half time replacement also did everything he could but Accies backs were up to the task and very few tackles were now being missed.
A final surge by Accies, after a superb break, by Robert McNaught, from inside his own half, saw the ball into Whitecraigs 22. A couple of moves came to nothing but the referee saw an infringement at a ruck and Accies had a penalty 35 metres out and to the left of the posts. Up stepped Finlay Neilson to convert the penalty and put Accies 8 points ahead which meant that Whitecraigs had to score twice. 18 – 10
Whitecraigs did all they could to get back into the game but with the minutes dying away and Accies still defending in numbers, their efforts came to nothing. The final whistle was blown and Accies had secured the 4 points that they so desperately needed.
Full – time 18 – 10
This has been a really tough season so far and with yet another different set of players turning out it is proof that the spirit in the camp is really good and that we are blessed to have some great reserves in the wings. A stand out effort must go to Club Captain Chris Scott who stepped in to cover the tighthead position, well done Scott. I think it is a credit to all concerned that despite the number of players who were unavailable for today’s match those selected performed so well that we won the vital points.
Some great photos once again from Bob Johnstone of Saturday’s victory - thank you Bob
A good day for centre Ronan Joy
On the charge once again - Calum Duke
A try was just reward for a great performance
The winning try from MOTM Calum Duke
Always a threat was Robert McNaught
Captain Ross Cowan
Quality kicking was the difference
Chris Scott gave his all
Defence was vital against a side working hard to attack
There was always a threat
Jack McCready back in the action
Good skills
Man of the match performance
