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Accies match report

Accies match report

Hugh Barrow11 Feb 2018 - 13:20
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Iain Smith reports


Accis back to winning ways

Dalziel v Accies

Saturday 10th February 2018

On paper this was going to be an easier affair than the previous week away to a strong Ardrossan side. However the forecast looked very wet and windy and how would the players respond after such bruising encounter. In the event, the weather stayed dry, the pitch was in good condition considering the levels of rain, but we were playing the first half into a stiff breeze.

The first fifteen minutes were played around the centre of the park with both teams testing the fringe defences and Dalziel were clearly up for the encounter. However, from nowhere, Ross Cowan found space outside to make a blistering break, fed the supporting Chris Woods who passed to a charging Gordon Maguire in support who ran in from 30 yards to touch down under the posts.

This was a simple conversion for Jamie Loomes. Dalziel 0- Accies 7

Only a few minutes later, Loomes made a searing break on the halfway line, he saw the left winger James Smith supporting out wide and with a superb long pass gave him enough space to run in from 30yds for a fine backs try in the corner.

Against a stiff breeze, conversion missed. Dalziel 0- Accies 12

It was becoming clear that the new scrum half, Freddie Enstad was relishing his promotion, with the injuries two our two first choice scrum half’s, in to the 1st XV and was not only asking questions of the opposition defence with some good breaks he was giving Jamie Loomes the service to get the back division into action. He also was getting the ever present back row of Sweeney, Rankin and Lindsay into the game with great off loads. So it was no surprise that after 20 minutes of good pressure from some strong forward drives in the Dalziel 22, that it was the alert Enstad who picked up from quick ruck ball to shoot off at pace and score wide out. Difficult conversion missed. Dalziel 0- Accies 17

The backs were starting to look very useful on this firm surface and not long after the restart it was the centres who fed Chris Woods who appeared in midfield to make the break, feed to the supporting Cowan who skilfully chipped over the fullback. The ball failed to bounce into his hands, but despite frantic defence, he hacked the ball over the line, nearly tripping himself up in the process, to secure a good backs’ try near the posts. Loomes made the conversion. Dalziel 0- Accies 24

With the try bonus point secured five minutes before halftime we were starting to see some confident running by both forwards and backs alike. Within only a minute of the restart, Hugh Lindsay displayed his strength by shrugging off two tackles and with impressive pace over 45 yards scored under the posts. Loomes converted. Dalziel 0- Accies 31

Half time Dalziel 0- Accies 31

Accies were by now playing with their usual confidence, with the breeze, but we had to bear in mind that we were playing a team struggling to find their form and missing a few key players. To all intents the game for them was becoming out of reach. Nevertheless, their half time break and regrouping gave them impetus, and it was some 15 minutes into the second half before Accies started to break down their resilient defence when James Smith found space out wide looked to cut inside and run 30 yards to score. Conversion made. Dalziel 0- Accies 38

Five minutes later, the ever sharp Loomes made a similar break from quick ruck ball to make a blistering run in for a fine try which he converted. Dalziel 0- Accies 45

Throughout the second half scrum Enstad was making his opposite number’s job a misery as he chased, harried, and on occasions ripped the ball from his grasp. Twenty five minutes gone in the second half and after fine forwards driving, Sweeney popped up to drive over for a good forwards try. Loomes converted. Dalziel 0- Accies 52

Throughout the game the half backs of Loomes and Enstad, with the whole back row in support, were probing and creating acres of space. After thirty minutes, and another good forwards drive close to the Dalziel line, Sweeney again popped over. Conversion made. Dalziel 0- Accies 59

With ten minutes to go Accies were now back to their wonderful flowing rugby and the hang over from last week sent to the bin. With this 15 man free flowing style and some fine interplay left and right they were leaving Dalziel chasing shadows, Loomes dived over for another fine try. Conversion missed. Dalziel 0- Accies 64

Two certain tries were on the cards in the run up to full time, but not unnaturally, folk were beginning to see glory for themselves rather than letting the ball do the work, and the last 8 minutes did not see any further additions to the scoreline.

Full time Dalziel 0- Accies 64

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