National 2 League Match - 15th Feb 2020
Accies v Gordonians
The first thing that must be said is a VERY BIG thank you to Robert Cheape and his team for all their hard work to make today’s game possible. It meant that the players from Aberdeen had not travelled in vain and that Accies could relax and enjoy watching Scotland take on Italy next week. The pitch was in amazing condition and Robert and his men were out forking the pitch for over an hour before kick-off, aided by Nigel Campbell and his dog!!!! The players and supporters owe them a lot as you can see:-
What stars - 3 men and a dog!!!
So as to the game itself played in what were atrocious conditions of heavy rain and blustery wind which was always going to be a great leveller and the really strong support was, I am sure not expecting a great deal of expansive rugby. Accies showed a real commitment as they kicked off, playing towards the clubhouse, and a really well placed kick saw the ball roll into touch inside Gordonians 22 and Accies spent the next 10 minutes putting their opponents under severe pressure with great forward drives and the centres doing the same. It was to Gordonians credit that their defence stood firm and kept Accies out and pointless. Accies pack was clearly in positive mode and dominated the early scrummaging exchanges. However with Gordonians first sortie into Accies half a knock by Accies resulted in a scrum 5 metres inside Accies territory. With Accies pack going forward the scrum collapsed and today’s referee decided that it was Accies loose head prop who had brought the scrum down and awarded a penalty to Gordoninas. The very skilful Gordonians centre put the ball deep inside Accies 22. At the ensuing lineout Accies were deemed to have entered the maul from the side – another penalty. The lineout on the 5 metres line was won and the drive successful and Accies found themselves 5 points down. A successful kick in difficult conditions put Gordonians in front. 0 – 7
Well once again Accies found themselves inside Gordonians 22 from a really good restart. After a knock on at the lineout another strong scrum resulted in a penalty. What to do now, take the 3 points on offer or, as todays captain, Ross Cowan decided another scrum. Again dominant scrum, pick up and drive from number 8 Tommy Spinks and when he was stopped the ball was recycled, another pick and drive from the forwards and but this time when the ball came back young Robert McNaught released the backs and, despite the wet and greasy ball, four quality passes, one out of the back door, saw winger Colin Taylor cross out wide on the right. A try that would have been special in good conditions but exceptional in today’s conditions. This reporter has to admit that he turned to experienced player and coach, Stuart Simmers and suggested that there was around a 10 percent chance of a right footed kicker making this kick in these conditions. Well Gregor Macewan clearly didn’t hear and put over a magnificent conversion. I will have to reassess my percentages! 7 – 7
Accies deserved to be level but a mistake from the restart when they attempted to clear their lines saw Gordonians awarded yet another penalty which they happily accepted and went ahead 2 minutes after Accies had levelled the scores. 7 – 10 This seemed to motivate the Gordonians players and they had the best 15 minutes of the game but their only reward was another penalty. 7 – 13. It should be said that in terms of possession and territory Gordonians deserved their 6 point lead. However with the first half drawing to a close, Accies restart was again superb and they forced a lineout inside Gordonians 22. Lineout won and a superb drive saw man of the match Calum Duke cross the line for a well-deserved and superb forward try. Another well-judged kick by Gregor Macewan, using the elements to major effect saw the ball sail through the uprights. 14 – 13
Accies were ahead after 40 minutes despite having been under severe pressure for many periods of the half. It was clear how the players felt as when Gordonians were awarded a penalty minutes after the try they tapped the ball and kicked it into touch – “let’s get out of the rain for a few minutes!”
Half-time 14 – 13
Accies emerged from the clubhouse to get the second half underway. Gordonians kick-off was secured and the forwards were back up and running. The first scrum of the half demonstrated just how much Ryan Grant’s coaching has developed this pack. It was the first of at least 6 scrums that Accies drove their opponents off their own put, a demoralising effect on their opponents and give the backs a real chance to drive at their opponents which the three quarters took full advantage off. Accies were soon well inside their opponents half and were using the forwards dominance of their opposite pack to stamp their authority on the game. It was clear that the coaches had decided at training how they should play in what was expected to be wet and windy conditions. However it was the backs who were to grab the first opportunity of the second half when after some great work in the build up by their forwards the ball was moved quickly to Ross Cowan and the stand-off put a grubber kick in behind the opposition and Jack McCready was first to it, he sensibly did not try to pick it up but hacked it towards the try line and won the race. A truly condition generated try! A relatively easy conversion, giving Gregor’s earlier successes, was missed. 19 – 13
Gordonians were most certainly not out of this contest and it had been clear from early on that they were determined to get something out of this match in what was an important relegation battle. No matter how they tried it was their lack of ability to get out of the grip that Accies pack both in the tight and the loose had over them that was stifling their ability to threaten Accies line. They did have an opportunity to pick up 3 points from a penalty but the wind threw it off course. Accies dominance at the scrums was allowing Ross Cowan to keep Accies inside their opponents 22. At a lineout, as a result of one of these penalties, Accies pack produced a perfect drive which was taken down, another penalty and another scrum. A great platform allowed Ross Cowan to once again put the ball into the red zone less than 5 metres from the try line. Gordonians appeared to have recycled the ball but some serious pressure on the clearance kick saw the ball being charged down and Gregor Macewan on hand to fall on the loose ball for Accies 4th and importantly, bonus point try. Yet another super kick by Gregor saw the 2 points being added and Accies 13 points clear. 26 – 13
Jason Currie, our returning tight head prop, had a major impact on today’s outcome and when asked after the game how he had enjoyed it, he relied “I have never been so cold on a rugby pitch in my life”! Well with 10 minutes to go Jason was injured, perhaps an opportunity to get off and warmed up and he was replaced by Chris Scott. He was quickly followed by Tommy Spinks who had played with an injured knee and had also had a superb game. Tommy was replaced by Ronan Joy and outside centre Matt Holland moved up to the pack, which little change the centres role, as to be honest he had been performing as an extra forward all day, carrying the ball and driving into rucks. These changes did not alter things and the game remained in Accies grip.
A real warrior
It was an impressive second half performance by all the Accies players and a strong and vocal support was given many reasons to be happy at the end of the game. Accies most definitely dominated the second forty minutes and had the ability to handle the conditions and the opposition today. This reporter cannot remember watching such a dominant scrum, which got better as the game went on, something that requires good coaching and hard work by the players. Today was not a day for fancy rugby and the fact that 3 of Accies 4 tries were scored by backs was not an indication of where the game was really won. 8 forwards will have gone to bed happy but very tired, they did a superb job.
Full – time 26 – 13
Accies are now sitting on 27 points and are 9 points clear of Falkirk in 10th place, who have 3 games in hand but some very tough matches and 11 points clear of today’s opponents Gordonians who have played the same number of fixtures. This was a very important win for Accies and the players can go into the final 5 games (3 at home) with the confidence that a win brings. Today’s support also meant a great deal to the players and they were aware of the volume of support that had made the real effort to come out on this horrendous day – it was really appreciated. I feel I should end this report with another note of appreciation to Robert Cheape for without his commitment today’s game could not have gone ahead and the players would not have the points in the bag!!!! The only grass pitch that was played on in the West of Scotland, thanks Robert.
A good kick in the normal play but exceptional in today’s conditons
