This fixture was played on the schools 1st XV pitch, and it was in a strong wind and a heavy snow shower that this table top encounter kicked off. It was a game which would see Carrick fighting for a victory that could keep them in the ‘mix’ to contest for promotion. Accies kicked off towards Anniesland Road with the wind and snow coming at them from Anniesland Cross.

The last time these two sides met it required a titanic defensive effort from Accies to win the game, so it was no surprise that Carrick started with their usual aggression. With just 5 minutes on the clock they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which they duly converted in tricky conditions that were to prove difficult throughout the entire game for the place-kickers.

This is a strong Carrick side with a point to prove and they were clearly up for the contest. However, Accies have shown this season that they have acquired the grit which has been missing in previous seasons. With some ferocious tackling and hard work, they moved their way into Carrick’s 22 and were awarded a scrum 5 metre out. The ball was won by Accies and from a solid scrum Josh Waldin, the effervescent scrum half, weaved and sidestepped his way to the try line for the score. In these conditions kicking was always going to be difficult, so the conversion was missed, and after 25 minutes Accies were ahead. 5 -3
Carrick came back at Accies and were awarded what looked like a very kickable penalty, but in the snow and wind, which troubled both the kicking from hand and the place-kicks, nothing was going to be easy, and so Carrick’s opportunity was missed. This good fortune seemed to ignite Accies and from just on the half-way line, scrum-half Josh Waldin took matters into his own hands and with superb pace and style, the opposition were left in his wake as he reached the try line for a superb solo try. Conditions made the conversion almost impossible, so Accies were still only 7 points clear and the first half was over. 10 - 3
From the start of the second half it was obvious that Carrick were up for the contest as they upped the tempo, really putting Accies defence to the test for the next 10 minutes. It was also clear that this Accies side know how to defend as well as attack. Aggressive tackling is the key to a good defence and throughout this game Peter Rankin demonstrated how true this is. A positive go forward attitude is also key and new prop, ‘medic’, Mo Mustafa showed the commitment and work ethic that everyone in this side has shown throughout this season. Line speed is also crucial to a good defence and Accies were demonstrating why it makes such a difference. Not only is this side capable of playing superb 15 man rugby, when conditions allow, but also defending with the same attitude.

However, it takes two sides to make a game a real contest and Carrick are certainly a quality side who thought they knew how to win, but it was different for them when they came up against Accies in this mood.

Thirty five minutes into the second half and with both sides having played their part in this exciting contest it was down to Accies No. 10, Chris Rhodes to convert a difficult penalty from out wide and 30 metres from the Carrick line. He has proved a great asset this year and duly slotted the kick to put Accies 10 points clear. Score - 13 – 3

The game had been controlled by Accies’ halfbacks and by some determined work from their pack, and so they were able to see the game out with no further scoring. Accies now travel to Newton Stewart next Saturday for what is another top of the table clash.