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Saturday 13 th October 2007
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Glasgow Hawks 2nd XV v's Watsonians 2nd XV.
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Venue: Old Anniesland, Glasgow.
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Match report:
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I'd like to start by making a belated apology, in last weeks report the minutes silence was to remember the late Watsonian Derek "Dizzy" Kidd.
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The coach departed at 12pm on the button on a drizzly afternoon which amazingly cleared up as we headed west and on our arrival the sun was splitting the sky. Arriving in good time gaving us ample opportunity to relax and get our bearings before warming up. There was a relativley unfamilair feel to the side which was without stalwart Gary Scott elevated to the 1sts along side "Big Show" Wright, presently it the side is changing every week, a combination of injuries higher up the club and availability, this however is the nature of things at this level.
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Despite the minor disruption the 2nd XV preperations and warm up continued in its usual routine, the only difference was that coach Josh Gabriel- Clarke was starting at hooker, which has been a pretty rapid rise for the 21 year old who only two weeks ago was barking instructions from the touch line against Boroughmuir and is now in the thick of it in the middle of the front row, good effort i say, a club man already and whos to say he'll stop there.
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Kicking off to Hawks and with the sun on our backs the game was under way. We were desperate to do the basics well, we knew our strenghts lay in our back line which included Craig Sorbie who was making his comeback after several weeks laid low with damaged ribs, we knew if the forwards provided them with good ball damage could be done. From the first moment you could sence that the attitude was good and for a good part of the opening exchanges Watsonians were on the back foot having to defend, whether it was a Hawks pick and drive or a move wide.
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The opening score came from Hawks which started with their stand off placing a nice probing kick to about mid way along the Watsonians 22 metre line forcing left wing Gary Dempsey to turn with leaving him with little option but to kick the ball into touch giving Hawks the throw in to the line out which they executed well and were quick to get the maul rolling forward and such has been one of our weakness so far this season the heavier Hawks pack took it all the way to score.
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7 - 0 to the hosts.
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However it wasn't long before we got the bit between our teeth and started to play some rugby of our own, both Tweedie brothers were a constant threat, Neil was tireless in defence and scrapped well for every ball while Rob, playing a full back made yards with every run (more that later)
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Again Robbie Buchannan proved to be our inspiration scoring from close range showing excellant strength to bully his way over, the same man was unsuccessful with the conversion
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7 - 5.
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This made us believe in ourselves and gave us confidence and it wasn't to long before we got on the score board again with a well worked try which started brilliantly with Rob Tweedie and finished by his brother Neil. Rob scooped the ball up, showing great pace legged it down the left wing beating several players before drawing the defender, passing inside to Neil who'd read the play well and ran a lovely angle to score, finished off with a Habanna esk dive, nice one Neil.
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7 - 10
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As the half drew to a close the game opened up and saw some good phases of play. We spawned a great two on one overlap opportunity and in an instant the door was shut and the moment was lost in what proved to be one of our rare scoring chances.
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We went into half time 3 points ahead, the half time chat was positive and we knew it was more of the same, Stavie asked for plenty of heart and effort.
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This is what he got right to the end, however games are not won on heart alone. Watsonians failed to score a single point in the scond half. It was not all doom and glum but on to many occasions Hawks were allowed to score from set phase play disapointingly the forwards were mauled over the try line for the second time in a cardon copy score to their first. A further try came from a blind side move and there was one other i think, sorry for my vagueness but these things tend to be a bit of a blur sometimes.
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As the game drew to a close we were showing signs of frustration, there were uncharacteristical fits of frustration shown by the boys, catalyzed by a minority of the Hawks players who insisted on winding us up, easy to sing while you winning i suppose.
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When the referee concluded affairs it was 31 -10, another bitter defeat and to use a horrible cliche it was a game of two halfs. Naturally the troops were disapointed but a few positive words by Criag Sorbie at the end were well placed and it was back to Edinburgh to mull things over.
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A win is a must at home next week against Dundee HSFP to keep the league on track.
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Final score 31 - 10.
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Tries (2) R. Buchannan and Neil Tweedie.
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Mention to loose head Eddie whos a Watsonian school leaver, he had a solid game and i've no doubt he slept well on Saturday night. Its great to see the young lads coming through, a Badboy is disguise me thinks! To Rob Tweedie who played his socks off and was a constant threat in attack and Josh who threw well dispite being thrown in the deep end.
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